Born in Edmonton, Alberta. Lavender was a prospect of the Montreal Canadiens and notched 71goals in two junior seasons with the Regina Pats. After splitting his first four pro seasons between the CHL and AHL, the younger winger was claimed by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1971 intra-league draft. He only lasted a few hours with the Stars since the St. Louis Blues in the reverse draft quickly took him.

Lavender scored five goals and was a solid utility player for St. Louis while playing on a line with Phil Roberto and Danny O'Shea. Just prior to the opening of their inaugural training camp the New York Islanders acquired Lavender from the Blues for cash. He struggled along with everyone else on the club then joined the Detroit Red Wings in a mid-season trade. He was a solid role player in Motown but ended up spending significant time in the AHL.

On the eve of the 1974-75 season, Lavender was sent to the California Golden Seals for Hartland Monahan. He was a decent checking forward on a line with Morris Mott and Ron Huston but signed with the Denver Invaders of the WHA prior to the next season. He retired in 1976 after scoring a pair of goals for the WHA club.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame