Born in Lindsay, Ontario, and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Primeau moved to Toronto at an early age and began his professional career in 1927 with the Toronto Ravinas, an affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He became a full-time member of the Leafs in the 1929-30 season. Primeau played on the Leafs' Kid Line with Charlie Conacher and Busher Jackson. He won his only Stanley Cup as a player in 1932 and won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy that same season. He retired in 1936 at age 30. Over his NHL career, Primeau scored 66 goals and 177 assists in 310 games. He also won the Stanley Cup as head coach of the Maple Leafs in 1951.