Sophomore forward Mason Appleton (27) looks to make a pass during the first period of the first round of the Big Ten Hockey Tournament against Ohio State University on March 16, 2017 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Spartans were defeated by the Buckeyes, 6-3.
—Rising junior forward Mason Appleton was named as MSU hockey captain for the 2017-18 season, the first new captain under head coach Danton Cole.
For the 2017-18 season, Appleton will serve as the team captain while rising senior defenseman Carson Gatt, rising junior forward Brennan Sanford and rising sophomore forward Sam Saliba were elected assistant captains, according to MSU Athletic Communications.
Cole was named head coach in April after former head coach Tom Anastos stepped down in March. These players are the first captains named under his new era of coaching for MSU.
"The four men elected by their teammates are hard workers and set a great example for the rest of the team,” Cole said in the press release. “A lot will be required of them next season, from both returning Spartan Hockey players and incoming freshmen. The right mindset is integral in what we want to accomplish and these four will help us to achieve that every day."
Appleton, MSU hockey's 72nd captain, was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL entry draft. In the 2016-17 season, he was voted Team MVP and received the Spartans' Outstanding Offensive Player award.
Last season, Appleton led MSU with a career-high 31 total points. His 12 goals and 19 assists also led the Spartans.
"Being named captain is an absolute honor to me,” Appleton said. “I’m excited to lead this team every single day. We are looking forward to a summer of hard work and can’t wait for the start of next season."
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