Will Acton

Last updated

Will Acton
20140927-WillActon.jpg
Acton at the 2014 Edmonton Oilers training camp
Born (1987-07-16) July 16, 1987 (age 38)
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Edmonton Oilers
Schwenninger Wild Wings
Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 20112020

William Kevin Acton (born July 16, 1987) is an American-born Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played with the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Playing career

Acton attended Lake Superior State University where he played four seasons of NCAA hockey with Lakers where he scored 77 points and registered 132 penalty minutes in 144 games played.

In March 2011, the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) signed Acton to an amateur tryout contract [1] to begin his professional career.

On July 5, 2013, the Edmonton Oilers signed Acton as a free agent to a two-year, two-way contract. [2]

Acton started the 2013–14 season on the Oilers' NHL roster, and scored his first NHL goal on October 14, 2013, against Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals. He would split the season between the Oilers, and AHL affiliate the Oklahoma City Barons.

In the 2014–15 season, Acton appeared in 3 games with the Oilers before on November 20, 2014, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, in exchange for center Kellan Lain. [3] Acton was immediately assigned to the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets for the remainder of the season.

As an un-signed free agent over the summer on September 28, 2015, Acton accepted a European offer in agreeing to a one-year deal with the German club, Schwenninger Wild Wings of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). [4] Acton led the Wild Wings in total points with 55 (16 goals, 39 assists) in 46 games, which ranked him third in the DEL regular season. [5]

After captaining the Wild Wings in the 2017–18 season, Acton left after his contract to sign a three-year deal with fellow DEL club, the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, on April 26, 2018. [6]

Personal

Acton was born in Edina, Minnesota, but grew up in Whitchurch–Stouffville, Ontario. His father, Keith, was playing for the Minnesota North Stars at his time of birth.

His father also played hockey professionally with the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders over a 17-year playing career, winning a Stanley Cup in 1988 as a member of the Oilers. Keith previously held the role of Associate Coach to Dallas Eakins, the former Oilers head coach and former head coach of the Toronto Marlies.

Career statistics

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada East
World Junior A Challenge
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2006 Yorkton
Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2003–04 Stouffville Spirit OPJHL 11010
2004–05Stouffville SpiritOPJHL41581328
2005–06Stouffville SpiritOPJHL4811203138
2006–07Stouffville SpiritOPJHL3316132963
2007–08 Lake Superior State U. CCHA 36671322
2008–09 Lake Superior State U.CCHA38791653
2009–10 Lake Superior State U.CCHA3610142439
2010–11 Lake Superior State U.CCHA349152418
2010–11 Reading Royals ECHL 10000
2010–11 Toronto Marlies AHL 50000
2011–12 Toronto MarliesAHL69791658171129
2012–13 Toronto MarliesAHL678111960942612
2013–14 Edmonton Oilers NHL 3032521
2013–14 Oklahoma City Barons AHL471211237430110
2014–15 Edmonton OilersNHL30005
2014–15 Oklahoma City BaronsAHL61122
2014–15 Utica Comets AHL45118192691232
2015–16 Schwenninger Wild Wings DEL 4616395567
2016–17 Schwenninger Wild WingsDEL5216284455
2017–18 Schwenninger Wild WingsDEL511830483022020
2018–19 Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers DEL52122335880112
2019–20 Thomas Sabo Ice TigersDEL529243336
NHL totals3332526

References

  1. "Acton follows Gysbers to Marlies". Yorkton Region. March 24, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  2. "NHL free agent frenzy end-to-end excitement: Cox". Toronto Star. July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  3. "Edmonton Oilers trade Will Acton to Vancouver Canucks for Kellan Lain". Edmonton Journal. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  4. "Will Acton comes to Schwenninger" (in German). Schwenninger Wild Wings. September 28, 2015. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  5. "Alle DEL-Statistiken - DEL.org". www.del.org. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  6. "Ice Tigers pick up top forward Will Acton" (in German). Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers. April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.