Martin Hanzal Signs Five-Year Deal With Phoenix
 

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed forward Martin Hanzal to a five-year contract extension.

“We are very pleased to sign Martin to a five-year contract extension,” said Maloney. “Martin is a big, strong, skilled center and a core member of our team. He contributes at both ends of the ice and we are confident he will continue to improve to become one of the NHL’s best two-way centers.”

Last season, the 6-foot-6, 236 pound Hanzal appeared in 61 regular season games for the Coyotes, registering 16-10-26 and 54 penalty minutes (PIM). He established new career highs in goals (16), game-winning goals (5), power play goals (7) and hits (147). Hanzal appeared in all four games of the Western Conference Quarter-Final against Detroit, recording his first career postseason goal along with two assists and eight PIM.

The 24-year-old native of Pisek, Czech Republic has spent his entire five-year career with Phoenix; appearing in 288 career regular season games, registering 46-79-125 and 226 PIM. In 11 postseason contests, he has posted 1-5-6 and 10 PIM.

Hanzal was the Coyotes’ first choice in the first round (17th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft.

Good for Hanzal. He'll stand up for teammates and is arguably Phoenix's best defensive player. Can't say anything bad about the guy.

See Turris, actually do something in the NHL, and you'll get you're big contract like Hanzal.