Vitaly Prokhorov began his hockey career in 1983 with Spartak Moskva, playing there until 1992. With Spartak Moskva Prokhorov never won a Soviet title, but won silvers in 1984 and 1991 and a bronze in 1990. He also won a bronze at the 1992 CIS Championships. In 1992 Prokhorov joined the NHL St. Louis Blues, playing there until 1995. He then played one season in Sweden with Färjestads BK, before finishing his career in Russia, playing with Spartak Moskva (1997-98), CSKA Moskva (1998), Ak Bars Kazan (1999), Metallurg Magnitogorsk (1999-2000), Lada Togliatti (2000), Vityaz Podolsk (2001) and Khimik Voskresensk (2001-2002). He led the 1997-98 Russian League in goals with 22. Internationally Prokhorov won a 1992 Winter Olympic gold and played for Russia at the 1992 and 1998 World Championships.