Sophomore wingman Mason Appleton (27) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of the 52nd Annual Great Lakes Invitational semifinal game against Western Michigan on Dec. 29, 2016 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Spartans were defeated by the Broncos, 4-1.
Former Spartan and current Manitoba Moose forward Mason Appleton was named as the Dudley (Red) Garrett Award winner as the AHL's outstanding rookie. He's the first player in the program's history to receive the award.
Appleton was drafted to the Winnipeg Jets as their 168th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and joined the Manitoba Moose this past fall after leaving the Spartan hockey team in the summer between his sophomore and junior year.
The Green Bay, Wisconsin native led the rookies in the league and tied for fourth in the league, tallying 63 points overall in 73 games. He captured the team's record with points and 42 assists, and is the first Moose player since the 2008 season to record more than 60 points in the season.
During his time at MSU, he played two seasons in the Spartan uniform and was named outstanding rookie during his freshman year. Last season, he led the team in goals with 12, assists with 19 and points with 31.
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