Hanzel was drafted by the Avalanche 187th overall in 2023.

Jeremy Hanzel became the latest WHLer to sign an NHL deal, agreeing to a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche. The Seattle Thunderbirds defender was a sixth-round pick of Colorado in 2023 and is finishing his WHL career. A player who was never drafted into WHL, he has played 210 games and was a crucial part of the Thunderbirds' run to the Memorial Cup Final in 2023. 

Hanzel is in the midst of a career year with Seattle. He leads the team with 50 points in 58 games and sits tied for eighth in league scoring among defenders. With 139 points in the WHL, he should finish his career in seventh on the Thunderbirds' all-time point list among defensemen. 

If Seattle misses the playoffs, Hanzel could make the jump to the AHL this season. The Colorado Eagles are in second place in the Pacific Division and could use him as a depth piece for their playoff run. The Thunderbirds' last scheduled game this season is Mar. 24, while the AHL season does not conclude until the end of April. 

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