Earl debuted for the varsity team at
Colgate University in 1967 and swiftly became the team's star. His time with the Red Raiders coincided with the team being a middling squad, preventing him from achieving any postseason success, however, Earl was able to shine during his time in
Hamilton. As a junior, he shattered the program record with 37 goals during the season, accounting for nearly a third of the team's total all season. He was named
team captain for hit senior season and repeated his goal production while adding an additional 5 assists to finish with 62 points, another program record. When Earl was finished with his college career he held nearly all goal-scoring records for Colgate. In the years since almost all have been surpassed but he continues to hold the school record for game-winning goals with 18 overall and 10 in 1970 (as of 2020). Earl continued playing for the Kansas City Blues immediately after Colgate's season ended in 1970. He shifted from Wing to Center and played a more defensive-oriented game as a profession. The change paid off, however, and when the
WHA was formed Earl became an inaugural member of the
New England Whalers. Earl helped New England win the
Avco Cup in 1973 and remained with the club until 1977. He finished his career after a short stint with the
Rhode Island Reds. ==Awards and honors==