After his junior year, Santorelli signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators.
He began his professional career in the 2007–08 season playing for Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
In 80 games, Santorelli scored 21 goals and 42 points.
Milwaukee finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for the playoffs.
In the post-season, the Admirals were eliminated in the first round by the Chicago Wolves.
Santorelli played in all six games of the series, but failed to register any points.

The following season, he was joined on the team by his younger brother Mark, who had been a fourth-round draft pick of the Predators.
It marked the first time the brothers were on the same team together.
Santorelli started the season strong, posting a 14-game point streak.
In December, he scored 23 points in 14 games, which tied him for second in the AHL.
For his efforts, he was named CCM/AHL Player of the Month.
Shortly after earning the accolade, he was called up by the Predators to the NHL, and made his debut on January 8, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After playing six games without recording a point, he was reassigned to the Admirals.
In the AHL, Santorelli was named to the 2009 All-Star Classic.
At the All-Star skills competition, Santorelli tied an AHL record by going four for four in the accuracy shooting event.
In the All-Star Game, Santorelli finished as a –7 in a 14–11 Canadian AHL All-Stars loss.
Santorelli finished the year with 27 goals and 70 points in 70 games with Milwaukee and played one more game for Nashville, recording two penalty minutes in seven games.
The Admirals won the West Division and faced the Rockford IceHogs in the first round.
The Admirals defeated Rockford and advanced to the second round, where they lost to the Houston Aeros in seven games.
Santorelli was a point-per-game player in the playoffs, scoring 11 points in 11 games.

He began the 2009–10 season with the Predators, playing five games before being sent down to Milwaukee.
He was recalled 10 days later and scored his first career NHL goal on October 28, 2009 against the Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Bäckström.
He continued to bounce in between Nashville and Milwaukee for the remainder of the season, registering 3 points in 25 games for the Predators and 59 points in 57 games with the Admirals.
He joined Milwaukee for their playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Wolves, with Santorelli scoring 3 goals and seven points in the seven game series.
In the off-season Nashville extended Santorelli a qualifying offer making him a restricted free agent.
After being qualified Santorelli was traded to the Florida Panthers for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which was eventually upgraded to a fourth round selection.
After acquiring him Florida signed Santorelli to a one-year contract.

In Florida Santorelli was expected to play a similar role with the Panthers as he did with the Predators, a player who split time between the minors and played a fourth line role.
In the preseason Santorelli beat out Michael Grabner and was given an opportunity to play on a scoring line with David Booth and Rostislav Olesz for the 2010–11 season.
With the increased playing time and responsibility Santorelli set career highs in Games played, goals, assists, and points.
Playing in all 82 games he recorded 20 goals and 41 points.
Florida finished the season as the last place team in the Southeast Division and 28th in the league.
In the off-season the Panthers re-signed Santorelli to a two-year contract.
The following season he sustained a shoulder injury in a preseason game and missed the beginning of the season.
Upon his return he struggled recording only 11 points in 60 games and was occasionally made a healthy scratch.
The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, but Santorelli did not play in any of their playoff games.
At the end of the season he was placed on waivers, allowing any team to claim his contract rights.
Santorelli cleare
After his junior year, Santorelli signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. He began his professional career in the 2007–08 season playing for Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In 80 games, Santorelli scored 21 goals and 42 points. Milwaukee finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for the playoffs. In the post-season, the Admirals were eliminated in the first round by the Chicago Wolves. Santorelli played in all six games of the series, but failed to register any points.
The following season, he was joined on the team by his younger brother Mark, who had been a fourth-round draft pick of the Predators. It marked the first time the brothers were on the same team together. Santorelli started the season strong, posting a 14-game point streak. In December, he scored 23 points in 14 games, which tied him for second in the AHL. For his efforts, he was named CCM/AHL Player of the Month. Shortly after earning the accolade, he was called up by the Predators to the NHL, and made his debut on January 8, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After playing six games without recording a point, he was reassigned to the Admirals. In the AHL, Santorelli was named to the 2009 All-Star Classic. At the All-Star skills competition, Santorelli tied an AHL record by going four for four in the accuracy shooting event. In the All-Star Game, Santorelli finished as a –7 in a 14–11 Canadian AHL All-Stars loss. Santorelli finished the year with 27 goals and 70 points in 70 games with Milwaukee and played one more game for Nashville, recording two penalty minutes in seven games. The Admirals won the West Division and faced the Rockford IceHogs in the first round. The Admirals defeated Rockford and advanced to the second round, where they lost to the Houston Aeros in seven games. Santorelli was a point-per-game player in the playoffs, scoring 11 points in 11 games.
He began the 2009–10 season with the Predators, playing five games before being sent down to Milwaukee. He was recalled 10 days later and scored his first career NHL goal on October 28, 2009 against the Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Bäckström. He continued to bounce in between Nashville and Milwaukee for the remainder of the season, registering 3 points in 25 games for the Predators and 59 points in 57 games with the Admirals. He joined Milwaukee for their playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Wolves, with Santorelli scoring 3 goals and seven points in the seven game series. In the off-season Nashville extended Santorelli a qualifying offer making him a restricted free agent. After being qualified Santorelli was traded to the Florida Panthers for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which was eventually upgraded to a fourth round selection. After acquiring him Florida signed Santorelli to a one-year contract.
In Florida Santorelli was expected to play a similar role with the Panthers as he did with the Predators, a player who split time between the minors and played a fourth line role. In the preseason Santorelli beat out Michael Grabner and was given an opportunity to play on a scoring line with David Booth and Rostislav Olesz for the 2010–11 season. With the increased playing time and responsibility Santorelli set career highs in Games played, goals, assists, and points. Playing in all 82 games he recorded 20 goals and 41 points. Florida finished the season as the last place team in the Southeast Division and 28th in the league. In the off-season the Panthers re-signed Santorelli to a two-year contract. The following season he sustained a shoulder injury in a preseason game and missed the beginning of the season. Upon his return he struggled recording only 11 points in 60 games and was occasionally made a healthy scratch. The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, but Santorelli did not play in any of their playoff games. At the end of the season he was placed on waivers, allowing any team to claim his contract rights. Santorelli cleare
Mike Santorelli