Earl also tied the team lead with five-game-winning goals, sharing second in the WCHA where his second career hat trick came against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on November 19.

[4] After saying he would return to the Badgers for his senior season at the school's rally for the men's and women's Frozen Four Champions, two days later he announced that he decided to join the Maple Leafs instead.

[citation needed] Following claiming the National Title, Earl joined the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League affiliate and saw action in the team's first round North Division semifinal series against the Grand Rapids Griffins in for the 2006 Calder Cup Playoffs.

[citation needed] During the 2007–08 season, Earl made his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 2, 2008 against the Ottawa Senators, recording one assist.

[5] In the following season, on January 21, 2009 he was traded by the Leafs to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Ryan Hamilton and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros.

[citation needed] After two full seasons in the Minnesota Wild organization, Earl left as a free agent to begin his European career by training with Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League on a try-out basis.

Released without a contract by Riga, Earl then signed a one-year deal with EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL) on August 12, 2011.

[citation needed] Earl continued his European venture when he was signed to a one-year contract with Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the Swiss National League A on March 14, 2012.