How can a Green Bay Packers fan feel right at home in Winnipeg, Manitoba? Easily, if you’re name is Mason Appleton.

Long before the Winnipeg Jets selected him in the sixth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, the young kid from Green Bay, Wisconsin, was all about rocking the dark green and gold colours of the NFL’s Packers.

“Growing up, that was the team I rooted for,” the 25-year-old told NHLPA.com. “Just like everyone in the city, I was a big Packers fan.”

As far as similarities between his hometown and his hockey home go, Appleton sees one obvious parallel.

“I actually compare the two a lot because of their respective fan bases. You grow up in Green Bay and it’s Packers, Packers, Packers, all the time. And then you get drafted by the Jets and it’s the same thing here. I think the fan bases are very similar.”

Playing in Winnipeg has been a perfect fit for Appleton, on and off the ice.