Martin Hanzal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martin Hanzal |
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Hanzal with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2014
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| Born | 20 February 1987 Písek, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | ||
| Weight | 226 lb (103 kg; 16 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Arizona Coyotes HC Motor České Budějovice Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars |
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| National team |  Czech Republic |
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| NHL Draft | 17th overall, 2005 Phoenix Coyotes |
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| Playing career | 2007–2019 | ||
Martin Hanzal (born February 20, 1987) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a centre and was known for his strong play. The Phoenix Coyotes picked him in the first round of the 2005 NHL entry draft. He was the 17th player chosen overall that year.
Contents
Martin Hanzal's Hockey Journey
Early Years and Junior Hockey
Martin Hanzal started playing hockey when he was young. He even played in a big international tournament for kids in Quebec in 2001.
The Phoenix Coyotes chose Hanzal in the 2005 NHL draft. He was playing for his hometown team, HC České Budějovice, at the time. After being drafted, he moved to North America to play for the Omaha Lancers. This was in the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2005–06 season. He scored 19 points in 19 games with Omaha.
Later, he played major junior hockey for the Red Deer Rebels. This was during the 2006–07 season in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was a top scorer for the Rebels, getting 85 points in 60 games.
Professional Career in the NHL
Playing for the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes
Hanzal began his professional career with the Coyotes in the 2007–08 season. He quickly became an important player. He scored eight goals and had 35 points in his first season. On December 4, 2008, Hanzal scored his first career hat-trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs. A hat-trick means scoring three goals in one game. He did it in just over 20 minutes, which was a record for the Coyotes.
In 2011, Hanzal was named an alternate captain for the Coyotes. This showed he was a leader on the team. In the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, he scored a big game-winning goal in overtime. This helped the Coyotes win their first playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He scored his second hat-trick on November 14, 2014, against the Vancouver Canucks. Two of his goals were scored only nine seconds apart! This was a "natural hat-trick," meaning he scored all three goals without the other team scoring in between. Later that season, he had back surgery and missed the rest of the games.
Time with the Minnesota Wild
In February 2017, Hanzal was traded to the Minnesota Wild. He had played nine seasons with the Coyotes. He joined the Wild during the 2016–17 season.
Playing for the Dallas Stars
On July 1, 2017, Hanzal signed a contract with the Dallas Stars. He was a free agent, meaning he could choose which team to play for. His time with the Stars was tough because of injuries. He played only 38 games in his first season. In March 2018, he had surgery on his back again. This surgery was to fix a long-lasting back problem.
Retirement from the NHL
After his contract with the Stars ended, Hanzal returned to the Czech Republic. He played a bit more hockey there. On October 26, 2020, Martin Hanzal announced he was retiring from the NHL. He played for 12 seasons in the league.
International Hockey
Martin Hanzal also played for the Czech Republic in many international tournaments. He played in the IIHF World U20 Championship in 2006 and 2007. He also played for the senior national team in four major tournaments. These included the IIHF World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Awards and Honours
| Award | Year | |
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| WHL | ||
| East Second All-Star Team | 2007 | |
