Petrovicky moved to Canada to play junior hockey with the Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars and the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL). While a member of the Cougars, the Calgary Flames chose him in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He would sign with the Flames organization in 1998, and played for the Flames' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate for two seasons before joining Calgary. He played two seasons for the NHL team before joining the New York Rangers for the 2002–03 season. A year later, he was transferred to the Atlanta Thrashers, again as a waiver transaction.