He played junior hockey with the Belleville Bulls from 1984 to 1987 and was chosen 217th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He turned pro in 1987-88 with the Flint Spirits and spent most of the next three seasons in the minor pros. The Canucks called him up for eight games over that span. After sitting out the 2001-02 season, Hawkins played two seasons in Germany and retired in 2003.