Sergey Petrenko began his hockey career with Dynamo Kharkov in 1985 and in 1987 joined Dynamo Moskva, playing there until 1993. With Dynamo Moskva Petrenko won Soviet titles in 1990 and 1991, a CIS title in 1992, and a Russian title in 1993. In 1993 Petrenko joined the Buffalo Sabres, but played in the NHL for only one season. From 1994-1995 he was with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League, before joining Moskva Spartak, where he played until 1999, except in 1996-97 when he played in Switzerland with HC Davos. From 1999-2000 Petrenko played with HC Vitkovice (CZE) and from 2000-01 was with New Oji Seishi Tomakomai (JPN), before finishing his career in Russia with Severstal Cherepovets (2001-02) and Sibir Novosibirsk (2002-04). Internationally, Petrenko won a World title in 1993 and played for Russia at the 1992 and 1997-99 World Championships.