Pettinger played 98 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins between 1928 and 1931.
In 1922, Pettinger joined the Regina Victorias of the Southern Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, playing there for five seasons.
Pettinger played one season with the Leafs before being traded to Ottawa as part of the King Clancy deal.
Pettinger played in only 13 games with the Senators before he was dealt to the International Hockey League's London Panthers.
Pettinger was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs the day Boston won the Stanley Cup.