Tomlinson, who was drafted in 1986 by Minnesota, played his only NHL game before he even completed his Junior career. Tomlinson was held off the score sheet during his only match, which came during the 1987-88 season.

After splitting the following year between Junior and the International Hockey League Tomlinson left hockey in 1989 only to return after a season away. Tomlinson split the 1991-92 season between the East Coast Hockey League and the American League. After parts of three years in the AHL, highlighted by a Calder Cup Championship with Adirondack in 1992, Tomlinson moved on to the International Hockey League in 1993. The last three years of his career were spent in the INHL with the Las Vegas Thunder, the Fort Wayne Comets and finally the Peoria Rivermen. Tomlinson retired as a player following a nine-point effort with the Rivermen in the 1995-96 season.

Tomlinson didn't stay away from the game for very long, however. In 1997-98 Tomlinson joined the Quad City Mallards as an Assistant Coach and helped guide the club to a league championship. He then moved on to become the first Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel for the Colorado Gold Kings of the West Coast Hockey League. After three successful seasons with Colorado, which included him being named the co-Coach of the Year one season, Tomlinson moved on again, this time taking the coaching reigns of the Flint Generals of the United Hockey League in July of 2001.