Pinder played junior hockey for the Saskatoon Blades of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 1965-66. He stayed with the team as they moved to the newly formed Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (the forerunner of today's Western Hockey League) in 1966-67. Pinder was the new league's first leading scorer and first outstanding player. He then joined the Canadian National Team, winning a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics and playing at the 1969 World Championship. He played in 223 NHL games and scored 55 goals and 69 assists. In the WHA he played 353 games with 93 goals and 141 assists.