Michigan State notes: Hockey's Mason Appleton signs with Winnipeg Jets
Michigan State forward Mason Appleton has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets, the organization announced on Thursday. Appleton was selected in the sixth round, 168th overall, by Winnipeg in the 2015 NHL draft.
In two years at Michigan State, Appleton compiled 53 points (17 goals, 36 assists) in 72 career games.
As a sophomore in 2016-17, Appleton led the Spartans in goals (12), assists (19) and points (31), earning the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player and MVP awards. The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was named the Spartans’ Outstanding Rookie in 2015-16 after producing 22 points, including a team-high 17 assists.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Jankoska to play in World University Games
Former Michigan State women's basketball All-American Tori Jankoska will play for Team USA in the World University Games next month in Taiwan.
Jankoska and former Maryland women's basketball player Malina Howard will join the Terrapin women's basketball team to complete the U.S. roster. The Terrapins were selected by the United States International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF) to represent the United States, which will be Aug. 19-30, 2017 in Taipei, Taiwan.
"I'm extremely excited about joining coach (Brenda) Frese and the Maryland team for the World University Games," Jankoska said in a press release. "They have had a tremendous program throughout the years. It's an amazing opportunity to see the world, play the game I love and represent the United States."
After the World University Games, Jankoska — Michigan State's all-time leading scorer — will remain overseas, playing for Basket Gdynia in Gdynia, Poland.
MEN'S SOCCER
2017 schedule announced
Michigan State men’s soccer head coach Damon Rensing announced the Spartans’ schedule for the 2017 season on Monday. The schedule will feature nine home games at DeMartin Soccer Complex and eight away games.
For the first time ever, the Spartans will play night games at DeMartin Soccer Complex, as lights were installed this summer. The schedule features five night games at home during the 2017 campaign.
Michigan State will take on six teams that advanced to the 2016 NCAA Tournament during its 17-game regular-season schedule, including four teams that finished in the NCAA RPI Top 25 and five teams that finished in the NSCAA Top 25. The Spartans challenging schedule also includes seven teams with 10 or more wins in 2015.
Michigan State will prepare for the season with a pair of exhibitions. The Spartans will host Colgate on Tuesday, Aug. 15, before taking on Butler on Friday, Aug 18.
The Spartans will open the regular season against the same team that ended the 2016 season, facing SIUE on Aug. 25 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Last season, the teams met in the first round of the NCAA tournament with the Cougars advancing on penalty kicks. On Aug. 27, MSU will take on St. Louis on the road. The teams will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Co-National Championship when the teams tied 0-0.
The Spartans will debut their lights at DeMartin on Friday, Sept. 1 against Dartmouth. Michigan State will remain in East Lansing, hosting Cleveland State on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4.
MSU will hit the road to open Big Ten action on Friday, Sept. 8, traveling to Rutgers. Michigan State will then return home for its annual meeting with Bowling Green on Wednesday, Sept. 13 under the lights. In a prime time game on Sunday, Sept. 17, the Spartans will battle for the Big Bear Trophy against in-state rival Michigan in Ann Arbor.
- MSU Athletic Communications