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.

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.

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.