[3] On September 28, 2012, Petersen was invited as a free agent to the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros 2012 Training Camp.

[5] Petersen split the year between the Solar Bears and the Aeros, contributing with 14 points in 37 games in Houston.

A free agent at the conclusion of the season, Petersen agreed to his first European contract in signing a one-year deal with German club Schwenninger Wild Wings, the newest member of the DEL, on July 11, 2013.

On April 4, 2016, he agreed as a free agent to a two-year deal with fellow German DEL team, Eisbären Berlin.

[7] At the conclusion of his two-year tenure with Eisbären Berlin, Petersen left Germany as a free agent to sign a one-year deal in the neighbouring EBEL with EC KAC on May 13, 2018.