Prior to turning professional, DeSantis went undrafted playing collegiate hockey at
Ohio State University of the
Central Collegiate Hockey Association. After a breakout
2011–12 season in the AHL scoring 43 points in 66 games with the
St. John's IceCaps, he was signed as a free agent to his first NHL contract on a one-year, two-way deal with the
Florida Panthers on June 14, 2012. Assigned directly to the
San Antonio Rampage due to the ongoing
lockout, DeSantis appeared in 28 games to start the
2012–13 season with the Rampagage before he was reassigned by the Panthers in an AHL trade to the Hamilton Bulldogs in exchange for
Brendon Nash on January 3, 2013. Upon the agreement of a new NHL CBA, the trade was formalized between the Panthers and Montreal Canadiens on January 14, 2013. On June 17, 2013, after three seasons in the AHL without NHL exposure, DeSantis left to sign a one-year contract with Finnish club,
HIFK of the
Liiga. After one season with HIFK, DeSantis turned to the
Austrian Hockey League agreeing to a two-year deal with
EC KAC. In his two seasons in
Klagenfurt, DeSantis in a top pairing role, contributed with 43 points in 84 games before opting to return to North America after three seasons abroad as a free agent. On September 27, 2016, DeSantis opted to continue his playing career in the ECHL, joining the
Orlando Solar Bears on a one-year deal. Prior to training camp, DeSantis opted for a release from his contract with the Solar Bears and returned to the EBEL, signing a one-year deal with
HC TWK Innsbruck on October 10, 2016. On 9 August 2019, DeSantis moved to UK
EIHL side
Nottingham Panthers. In February 2020, DeSantis moved to Denmark to sign for
Esbjerg Energy. ==Career statistics==