The Michigan State Spartans will be rebuilding in 2017-18 under 1st year head coach Danton Cole. That process just got made a bit more challenging as Mason Appleton, who was slated to be the team captain this season, has signed his entry level contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
Appleton announced the signing on his Twitter account this morning.
Appleton was the best forward returning for a Spartans team that consistently struggled to score under former coach Tom Anastos. Appleton scored 12 goals and registered 31 points in 35 games played last season. That follwed a 22 point campaign with 5 goals in his freshman season 2015-16. Appleton, a Green Bay, WI native was selected by Winnipeg in the 6th round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
The contract signed by Appleton is a 3 year entry level contract with an AAV of $758,333. It is more than likely that Appleton will be playing in the AHL next season for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. This departure frees up a scholarship for the Spartans as we discussed and could have been the reasoning for Cole bringing in some late signings in this class. The Entry Level Contract wishes Mason the best of luck as he embarks on his pro career.
Entry Level Contract 
This is going to be a huge hit to the team. Hopefully, some of the sophomore players will be able to step up. I really like what I saw out of Saliba near the end of the year.
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I think Khodorenko, Saliba and Hirose could all have breakout years. Lambdin is a Soph. to watch also
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