C Mason Appleton (2015, 168th, WPG)

[Sticktape]

So it's time to make a thread for this player. He's really adapted well to the AHL coming from the NCAA, currently sitting at only 1 point shy of PPG through 30 games. Kid has size (6'2", 201), seems like a great passer but hasn't had trouble putting the puck in the net either. AHL player of the week back in November as well. Really looking like another late round hit by the Jets here.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I agree, he's a terrific passenger player. Could see him playing top line minutes in the future, could be a final cut for the Jets next season. Wouldn't be a bad idea considering he and Roslovic have good chemistry and both could start on the third line with Perreault on the LW (also call them the Apperault Jack line).

Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Laine-Little-Ehlers
Perreault-Roslovic-Appleton
Lowry-Copp-Armia

 

[jetsforever]

Certainly is playing well. I'll be happy if he even makes the NHL, given his draft position.

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

Longshot for rookie of year in ahl , if exists, but looking good. Not bad for late round steal!

 

[MardyBum]

That 2015 draft.

Mmmm.

 

[Whileee]

Appleton has been a really pleasant surprise. The Jets now have three young prospects on ELCs scoring at >= 1 point/game in the AHL this season, and that's after graduating. Connor.

Roslovic
Lemieux
Petan
Appleton

Add Vesalainen who's having a very strong season leading his Finnish Elite League team in scoring at 18 and it looks like the Jets have an outstanding forward group in their prospect pool.

 

[Lays]

Appleton has been a really pleasant surprise. The Jets now have three young prospects on ELCs scoring at >= 1 point/game in the AHL this season, and that's after graduating. Connor.

Roslovic
Lemieux
Petan
Appleton

Add Vesalainen who's having a very strong season leading his Finnish Elite League team in scoring at 18 and it looks like the Jets have an outstanding forward group in their prospect pool.

yup, they just need to get a new coach and add another solid dman and they’ll be cup contenders next year, that’s a deep offensive group

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

Playing in Allstar game in ahl as a rookie. Looking real good looking like a future 20 goal guy.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

VERY little talk of this player. Seems like a unknown commodity or something. Leading the AHL in rookie scoring with 43 points in 46 games.

Whats the deal with him? How is his NHL potential and when do people expect him to make the jump?

Geeze how about Jets having both the AHL rookie scoring leader and also the AHL rookie dman scoring leader(Sami Niku)... both of which were 6th and 7th round picks in 2015. Well done Chevy and co.

 

[kelsier]

While his name was brought up against the game against the Colorado I was like "Appleton who?". Seriously though, if he's anywhere near as good as those points would indicate (given the age), the depth in the Jets forward group would be just absurd. Even without him while looking at all those young players, it's pretty ridiculous. Where do all these scouts come from? Detroit?

 

[AmericanDream]

could be a Joe Pavelski type player who was a late round pick out of the USHL that simply just got better and better each and every year. definitely worth keeping a close eye on.

 

[Sparty]

He was on a Michigan State team that was historically bad (for us) the last few years and was one of the lone bright spots. Had a good year as a freshman and led the team in scoring as a sophomore. Having him leave really hurt us this year. We've got a new coach this year (Danton Cole, previously coaching the US Developmental Team) and having Appleton around could have really helped the rebuild.

The previous coach was an awful recruiter and there was no talent there for him to play with.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

What is the reason for him being such a late pick?.. Or was it just the good old reason of just being pretty average in his draft year

 

[Atoyot]

What is the reason for him being such a late pick?.. Or was it just the good old reason of just being pretty average in his draft year

He was actually passed over in his draft year, Jets picked him on his second way through.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Trying not to derail the thread(add a little humor) but whenever i see his name i think of the old sitcom Perfect Strangers and one of the stars Larry Appleton. Co star Balki Bartokomous called him cousin Larry haha

 

[AmericanDream]

Trying not to derail the thread(add a little humor) but whenever i see his name i think of the old sitcom Perfect Strangers and one of the stars Larry Appleton. Co star Balki Bartokomous called him cousin Larry haha

total thread derail now!! lol

 

[Huffer]

Just won the most outstanding rookie in the AHL.

Mason Appleton Voted AHL's Outstanding Rookie - Manitoba Moose

 

[BKarchitect]

Between guys like Appleton, Poolman, Niku, Copp...heck even Samberg who although he was a 2nd round pick, not many knew much about him as a raw high school kid at the time - the Jets scouts are certainly earning their salary with picks outside the first round. And of course...hard to argue with the likes of Vesalainen, Laine, Connor, Roslovic, Ehlers and Morrissey in the past 5 drafts in the first round...with only Stanley really sticking out as an iffy one...that's an incredibly high batting average.

I'd keep an eye out for Jonathan Kovacevic in the future. Kovacevic in particular is going to fly under the radar, overager 3rd round pick last summer, plays for a smaller hockey program in Merrimack, doesn't put up eye-catching numbers. But has a pro body, shot and game and will be the next Appleton/Poolman-type for the Jets in a few years, IMO.

 

[Huffer]

Between guys like Appleton, Poolman, Niku, Copp...heck even Samberg who although he was a 2nd round pick, not many knew much about him as a raw high school kid at the time - the Jets scouts are certainly earning their salary with picks outside the first round. And of course...hard to argue with the likes of Vesalainen, Laine, Connor, Roslovic, Ehlers and Morrissey in the past 5 drafts in the first round...with only Stanley really sticking out as an iffy one...that's an incredibly high batting average.

I'd keep an eye out for Jonathan Kovacevic in the future. Kovacevic in particular is going to fly under the radar, overager 3rd round pick last summer, plays for a smaller hockey program in Merrimack, doesn't put up eye-catching numbers. But has a pro body, shot and game and will be the next Appleton/Poolman-type for the Jets in a few years, IMO.

Have you seen Kovacevic play BK? I'd love to hear your thoughts on him if you have.

 

[Lampedampe]

Winnipeg's 2015 draft class is just too good.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Questionable if he makes the Jets roster next year.

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

Questionable if he makes the Jets roster next year.

If he does I’d imagine either Lowry doesn’t get re-signed or Little gets moved(which I hope happens due to our lack of future cap space and Littles bad contract) as well as Armia not getting re-signed.

Possible Top 9(wih Appleton in):

Connor Scheifele Wheeler
Ehlers Lowry/Little Laine
Perreault Roslovic Appleton

 

[kittiecarlyle]

If he does I’d imagine either Lowry doesn’t get re-signed or Little gets moved(which I hope happens due to our lack of future cap space and Littles bad contract) as well as Armia not getting re-signed.

Possible Top 9(wih Appleton in):

Connor Scheifele Wheeler
Ehlers Lowry/Little Laine
Perreault Roslovic Appleton

Appleton making the Jets and Lowry not getting re-signed?

There is less than zero chance of Lowry not being a Jet and Appleton being one or not has no input to that.

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

Appleton making the Jets and Lowry not getting re-signed?

There is less than zero chance of Lowry not being a Jet and Appleton being one or not has no input to that.

Im a huge fan of Lowry, and I think at the moment he deserves to be the Jets second line Center with his play(he is excellent defensively, he is as tough and strong as a Center as the league can find and he has done pretty well this season on the Offensive side of things and he’s still pretty young) this season, but if the Jets can’t afford him than Appleton has a spot. That being said I would much rather Little get moved(though I do agree with you in thinking these situations are slim to none).

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

Just won the most outstanding rookie in the AHL.

Mason Appleton Voted AHL's Outstanding Rookie - Manitoba Moose

Past winners

1995-96	Darcy Tucker	Fredericton Canadiens
1996-97	Jaroslav Svejkovsky	Portland Pirates
1997-98	Daniel Briere	Springfield Falcons
1998-99	Shane Willis	New Haven Beast
1999-00	Mika Noronen	Rochester Americans
2000-01	Ryan Kraft	Kentucky Thoroughblades
2001-02	Tyler Arnason	Norfolk Admirals
2002-03	Darren Haydar	Milwaukee Admirals
2003-04	Wade Dubielewicz	Bridgeport Sound Tigers
2004-05	Rene Bourque	Norfolk Admirals
2005-06	Patrick O'Sullivan	Houston Aeros
2006-07	Brett Sterling	Chicago Wolves
2007-08	Ted Purcell	Manchester Monarchs
2008-09	Nathan Gerbe	Portland Pirates
2009-10	Tyler Ennis	Portland Pirates
2010-11	Luke Adam	Portland Pirates
2011-12	Cory Conacher	Norfolk Admirals
2012-13	Tyler Toffoli	Manchester Monarchs
2013-14	Curtis McKenzie	Texas Stars
2014-15	Matt Murray	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
2015-16	Frank Vatrano	Providence Bruins
2015-16	Mikko Rantanen	San Antonio Rampage
2016-17

[TBODY] [/TBODY]