Undrafted, Zinger was signed by the Detroit Red Wings as a free agent in 2000 after graduating from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

He played eight seasons in the American Hockey League between 2000 and 2008, and played seven National Hockey League games with the Washington Capitals in 2003–04 NHL season, recording one assist.

[1] On September 14, 2009, Zinger returned to North America and signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL for the 2009–10 season.

[2] After the conclusion of his playing career, Zinger was named the head coach of the Queen City Storm of the then All American Hockey League on September 27, 2010.

[3] Upon the club suspending operations and the League going defunct, Zinger later accepted a position for two seasons as an assistant coach with the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL.