"Nashville, Tenn. (March 7, 2024) – Nashville Predators General Manager Barry Trotz announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Yakov Trenin and defenseman Graham Sward.
Hanzel, 21 (2/27/03), leads the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in assists (37) and points (50) this season, establishing career highs in both categories. The 6-foot, 190-pound blueliner ranks tied for eighth among WHL players in his position in points and 10th in assists; his 13 goals are tied for a career high and are tied for the seventh-most out of defensemen in his league. Additionally, Hanzel leads the Thunderbirds in power-play points with 24 (7g-17a).
Originally drafted by Colorado in the sixth round (187th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Hanzel has played in parts of four WHL seasons for Seattle, collecting 139 points (35g-104a) in 210 games. Last season, while serving as an alternate captain and as teammates with Predators prospects Luke Prokop and Reid Schaefer, he recorded 48 points (13g-35a) in 66 contests and added 22 more points (5g-17a) in 19 postseason appearances to help lead the Thunderbirds to the Memorial Cup. The Burnaby, B.C., native's +70 rating in 2022-23 led the WHL and was the highest in a single season in the league since 2018-19.
Nashville now owns eight selections in the 2025 NHL Draft – two in the first and third rounds and one in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds."
