May 15, 2022

Winnipeg
4° C, Clear

Full Forecast

Contact Us Subscribe Manage Subscription Chat with us
Log in Create Free Account Help Chat with us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising Contact
    • Submit a News Tip
    • Subscribe to Newsletters

    • Finding your
      information

    • My Account
    • Manage my Subscription
    • Change Password

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate

    • Log Out
    • Log in
    • Create Free Account
    • Help

    • Grid View
    • List View
    • Compact View
    • Text Size
    • Translate
  • Coronavirus Coverage
  • Replica E-Edition
    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • Community Review East
    • Community Review West
  • Above the Fold
  • Front page
  • Arts & Life
    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Book Club
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Business
    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
    • Manitoba's Top Employers
  • Canada
  • Local
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor
  • Sports
    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • World
  • The Star
  • Reader BridgeNEW
  • WFP EventsNEW
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Archives
  • Free Press Community Review
    • All Free Press Community Review News
    • East Edition
    • West Edition
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Classifieds
  • Contests
  • Coupons
    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • LifestylesNEW
    • All Lifestyles
    • Business Hub
    • Community
    • Drink & Dine
    • Life
    • Wellness
    • Whiskers & Wings
    • Sponsored Articles
  • Homes
    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Puzzles
  • Photo and Book store
  • More

©2022 FP Newspaper Inc.

Close
  • Quick Links

    • Coronavirus Coverage
    • Federal Election
    • Above the Fold
    • Home
    • Local
    • Canada
    • World
    • Classifieds
    • Special Coverage
    • Newsletters
    • Obituaries
    • Photo and Book store
    • Archives
    • Contests
    • Publications
    • Sponsored Content
    • Privacy Policy

    Ways to support us

    • Pay it Forward program
    • Subscribe
    • Day Pass
    • Support Faith coverage
    • Support Arts coverage
  • Replica E-Edition

    • About the E-Edition
    • Winnipeg Free Press
    • Community Review East
    • Community Review West

    Business

    • All Business
    • Agriculture
    • Personal Finance
  • Arts & Life

    • All Arts & Life
    • The Arts
    • Autos
    • Books
    • Cannabis
    • Celebrities
    • Diversions
    • Puzzles
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Faith
    • Food & Drink
    • Your Health
    • Life & Style
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Science & Technology
    • TV
    • Travel
  • Sports

    • All Sports
    • Amateur
    • Auto Racing
    • Blue Bombers
    • Curling
    • Football
    • Goldeyes
    • Golf
    • High School
    • Hockey
    • Horse Racing
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Manitoba Moose
    • WHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • Olympics
    • Soccer
  • Opinion

    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Editorial Cartoons
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Send a Letter to the Editor

    Media

    • All Media
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos

    Homes

    • Property Listings
    • Featured News
    • Renovation and design
    • New homes
    • Resale homes
  • Canstar Community News

    • All Free Press Community Review News
    • East Edition
    • West Edition
    • Sports
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • E-Editions
  • Coupons

    • All Coupons
    • Staples Copy & Print Coupons
    • Ripley's Aquariums Coupons
    • The Bay Coupons
    • Staples Canada Coupons
    • Altitude Sports Coupons
    • Nike Coupons
    • Tuango Coupons
    • Ebay Canada Coupons
    • Sport Chek Coupons
    • Roots Coupons
  • About Us

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • Carrier Positions & Retailer Requests
    • FP Newspapers Inc.
    • History
    • Internships
    • Job Opportunities
    • News Café
    • Privacy Policy
    • Retail Locations
    • Staff Biographies
    • Terms and Conditions
The Free Press

ABOVE THE FOLD

Subscribe
Articles Read Your Balance +tax

Appleton eager to get Kraken

Looking forward to joining Seattle's mythical sea monsters

By: Jason Bell | Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Monday, Aug. 23, 2021
Last Modified: 10:05 PM CDT Monday, Aug. 23, 2021 | Updates

Scroll
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Save to Read Later

Mason Appleton was among the many who dove into the internet more than a year ago to discover the definition and significance of the team name “Kraken.”

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/8/2021 (265 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mason Appleton was among the many who dove into the internet more than a year ago to discover the definition and significance of the team name "Kraken."

Now, he's part of the first incarnation of Seattle's new NHL squad, which gives a nod to a mythological, tentacled creature that patrols the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

The speedy, hard-working former Winnipeg Jets' winger, netted by the Kraken five weeks ago in the expansion draft, admits he's amped up about his new set of circumstances.

"I'm very excited. Any time you get to be a part of something new and break in with a new organization, it's an awesome opportunity. So, I'm super pumped about that," said Appleton, speaking to the Free Press this week from his home in Green Bay, Wis.

The Kraken will slot into the Pacific Division, bouncing the Arizona Coyotes to the Central.

Mason Appleton was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Mason Appleton was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"I honestly didn't even know what a Kraken was, at first," said Appleton, laughing. "I like the name a lot and, obviously, it meshes well with Seattle being on the water."

Developing a positive outlook about swapping teams was a gradual process for the 25-year-old Wisconsin product, who enjoyed a breakout offensive year in Winnipeg during the abbreviated 2021 campaign. He produced 12 goals and 25 points while dressing for all 56 games, averaging more than 14 minutes of ice time per game, and chipped in a goal and a pair of assists in eight post-season games.

Appleton could, indeed, be considered a poster boy for the Jets' draft-and-develop philosophy.

Winnipeg selected him in the sixth round in 2015 and monitored his progress for two years at Michigan State University. He inked his first pro deal in 2017 and spent the entire '17-18 season with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League, finishing fourth in league scoring (22G, 44A) and deservedly being named the league's rookie of the year.

Appleton split the '18-19 campaign between the Moose and the Jets, earning regular duty in '19-20 although his availability and production were hindered by injuries.

The Jets organization was all he'd known since turning pro, and he believed he was still in the early stages of a long, healthy relationship.

Mason Appleton recorded 12 goals and 13 assists during the 2021 season. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Mason Appleton recorded 12 goals and 13 assists during the 2021 season. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"I've described it as bittersweet to a bunch of people. It's been tough. It's tough leaving all the guys in Winnipeg and the city. It's weird, that's for sure," he said. "I was accustomed to things and didn't really see myself going somewhere else.

"I've talked to a lot of the guys and told them how much I'll miss them. That part sucks, saying goodbye to your teammates, the guys you see every day."

Appleton said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff called him just before Winnipeg's protected list was released July 18 to inform him that his name wasn't on it, adding, however, that attempts were being made to orchestrate a deal to retain his services.

Three days later, Cheveldayoff again called to break the news that Seattle had chosen him. Calls from Seattle GM Ron Francis and head coach Dave Hakstol soon followed.

"I watched the draft with my family that night and that was that. I woke up the next morning a Seattle Kraken and no longer a Jet," Appleton said, noting he harbours no ill will toward his former employers.

"It is what it is. Obviously, it was a tough situation for us and them, and the cards fell where they fell," he said. "I don't know if I felt let down. That's not the right word. But any time you're not protected or you're traded or something like that, it puts a chip on your shoulder. I've always been that guy that when I didn't get selected at a camp or didn't make a team, it pissed me off and let me go about my work that much harder and become a better player.

Appleton was selected by the Jets in the sixth round in 2015. (Jason Franson / The Canadian Press files)

CP

Appleton was selected by the Jets in the sixth round in 2015. (Jason Franson / The Canadian Press files)

"No hard feelings. I wish it had turned out different, but I'm not the GM. That's not my call."

A solid two-way forward, he meshed well with the centre Adam Lowry and winger Andrew Copp, and will miss that affiliation.

"I loved that line, had a lot of comfort there," Appleton said. "They are two really good players and I felt like we really fed well off each other, whether we had to shut down a top line or contributing on offence. I think we did a little bit of everything."

He's a big fan of Seinfeld and is quite familiar with an inane exchange between Jerry and George Costanza that concludes with the stocky, balding New York Yankees' office minion referring to Seattle as "the pesto of cities" because of its perceived trendiness.

Winnipeg Gardener

What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. A monthly email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing.

Sign up for Winnipeg Gardener
Sign Up

As the NHL goes, the Kraken's as contemporary and cool as it gets.

"I've only heard great things about the city, so super excited to get out there. And a little less harsher winters won't hurt, either," he said. "It's going to have that feel like Vegas had a few years back, that buzz around them in every building they went into."

Appleton is set to head west Sept. 10.

"We've had a decent amount of conversations (with the Kraken) since the (expansion) draft. I'll head there a little early to meet the guys and get on the ice a few times before training camp gets rolling," he said. "I know (ex-Jet Brandon) Tanev and have met a few other guys through text, but it'll be nice to get there early, get acclimated to the city and meet the guys."

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell

Jason Bell

Jason Bell
Sports editor

Jason Bell wanted to be a lawyer when he was a kid. The movie The Paper Chase got him hooked on the idea of law school and, possibly, falling in love with someone exactly like Lindsay Wagner (before she went all bionic).

   Read full biography

History

Updated on Monday, August 23, 2021 at 10:05 PM CDT: Fixes typo

  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Print
  • Email
  • Save to Read Later
  • Report Error
  • Submit a Tip
  • Refund
  • The Free Press is certified by

The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.

To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.

Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.

Top