Born in Sarnia, Ontario, he began his playing career in the Eastern Hockey League with the Philadelphia Falcons (1943–44) and Washington Lions (1945–46) and played two seasons with the Sarnia Sailors of the International Hockey League (1949–50 – 1950–51).
Garvin was hired to coach the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League for the 1973–74 season, but was fired after his first eleven games in which the team went 2–8–1.
He again returned to the IHL as head coach of the Toledo Goaldiggers (1974–75 – 1978–79) and the team advanced to the finals three times and won two Turner Cups in 1974–75 and 1977–78.
Garvin also served as head coach of the Muskegon Mohawks in the IHL for one final season in 1980–81.
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