He played college hockey for the Michigan Tech Huskies from 1970 to 1973. Undrafted by any NHL or WHA club, Prentice joined the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in 1972. He stayed with the team through the 1974-75 season, winning the Avco World Trophy in 1974 and 1975. Prentice split his time between the WHA and the minor pros until the WHA folded in 1979. He played one last season of hockey in 1979-80 with the Saginaw Gears. He played in a total of 158 WHA games and scored 8 goals and 14 assists.