Undrafted, Bentivoglio played four years of collegiate hockey with Niagara University of the CHA.

[1] After finishing his collegiate career, Sean made his professional debut with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Bentivoglio made an impact with the P-Bruins helping them get past the first round in the playoffs with 9 points in 13 games.

In the 2008–09 season, Sean matched his 32-point rookie campaign with the Sound Tigers and made his NHL debut with the Islanders in a 5-1 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens on April 2, 2009.

On July 22, 2010, he signed a one-year contract with German club Augsburger Panther of the DEL.