Hronek, Appleton named to 2018 AHL All-Rookie Team

By @StefanKubus –

The American Hockey League announced its All-Rookie Team on Wednesday, and a pair of Michigan names made the list.

Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman and Saginaw Spirit alum Filip Hronek was one of two defenseman named to the list. And up front, Michigan State alum Mason Appleton cracked the list after impressing in his own right.

Hronek, a Red Wings’ second-round pick in 2016, ranks second among all AHL rookie defensemen with 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) and leads the Griffins with a plus-21 rating through 62 games.

Appleton, a forward for the Manitoba Moose and sixth-round pick (2015) of the Winnipeg Jets, has certainly made the adjustment to the pro level with little issue. The 22-year-old sits fourth in the entire AHL scoring race with 61 points in 71 games.