[citation needed] Paetsch stepped into full-time WHL duty with the Moose Jaw Warriors as a 16-year-old in 1999.

After re-signing to a one-year contract on July 14, 2005,[2] Paetsch established himself with the Sabres in 2006–07, playing in a career high 63 games, recording 24 points.

[4] After 11 games with the Sabres, Paetsch was traded, along with a second round draft pick, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Raffi Torres on March 3, 2010.

[6] On June 21, 2011, Paetsch left the NHL to sign a one-year contract in Europe for the 2011–12 season, with EHC Wolfsburg of the German DEL.

[7] On July 9, 2012, Paetsch signed a one-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins for the 2012–13 season.

[9] After leading the Griffins as captain to their second Calder Cup in the 2016–17 season, before leaving as a free agent after five years with the club.

On September 12, 2017, he opted to continue in the AHL in signing a one-year contract in a return to the Rochester Americans.