Thu Jul 17 19:43:43 2008

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Coyotes C Hanzal has successful surgery

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Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Phoenix Coyotes center Martin Hanzal had successful back surgery to repair a herniated disk on Thursday.

Hanzal suffered the injury while playing for the Czech Republic at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in May.

The 21-year-old Hanzal had eight goals and 27 assists for 35 points in 72 games last season as a rookie for the Coyotes. He was the Coyotes No. 1 pick (17th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

He will soon begin his rehabilitation process and is projected to be ready to resume playing by the start of training camp in mid-September.