He played junior hockey for the Regina Pats from 1928 to 1930, winning the Memorial Cup in 1930. The New York Rangers signed him as a free agent in 1930 and he turned pro with the Vancouver Lions. Pettinger started his NHL career for the Rangers in 1932-33, winning the Stanley Cup. He was traded the next season to the Detroit Red Wings. Pettinger stayed there for six seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 1936 and 1937. His brother Eric Pettinger played in the NHL for several teams, including the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.