Gavin was selected 74th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Gavin played 768 career NHL games, scoring 130 goals and 156 assists for 286 points. His best season was in 1985–86 when he scored 26 goals and 55 points with the Hartford Whalers. A knee injury forced Gavin into early retirement in 1993, though he did stage a one season comeback in the IHL in 1994. After retiring, Gavin entered business, and in 2003 founded his own firm, known as Gavin Management Group.\n', '

Gavin played minor hockey in the OHA, mostly with the Toronto Marlboros, save for one game during the 1976–77 season, which was spent with the Ottawa 67\'s, who would win the league championship that year (though Gavin did not play the minimum games requirement to be considered part of the championship team). A 57 point campaign in his final season of OHA action caught the eyes of scouts from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the team drafted Gavin in the fourth round, 74th overall during the 1980 NHL draft.\n', '

Gavin made the NHL the year following his draft, but after 14 games was sent down to the Maple Leafs minor league AHL affiliate, the New Brunswick Hawks to refine his play. Beginning next season, Gavin would play in more and more games for Toronto, and by 1983, he had become the team\'s designated checker and solidified a role on the penalty kill. Despite improving play from Gavin, the Maple Leafs struggled during his tenure, and in 1984–85 finished last in the entire league. Seeking to improve the team\'s defensive core after the last-place finish, Gavin was traded to the Hartford Whalers for defenceman Chris Kotsopoulos on October 7, 1985. His first season is Hartford was his best professional season statistically, as he scored 55 points playing in 76 contests. Gavin would spent a total of three seasons with the Whalers before being claimed by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1988 NHL Waiver Draft. Gavin continued his role as a defensive forward with the North Stars, and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991. However, he injured his knee in 1993, and on the recommendation of his doctors, retired as a player.\n', '

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