Before playing in the NHL, Hanzal played 19 games in the Czech Extraliga with HC České Budějovice, 19 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Omaha Lancers and 1 season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Red Deer Rebels. He was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes with the 17th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.