Unable to garner interest in the NHL or AHL, Hartzell was signed by the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL on October 11, 2015.

[3] Hartzell appeared in 5 games with the Steelheads in the 2015–16 season, before he was loaned on a professional try-out contract to the Stockton Heat of the AHL on November 7, 2015.

[4] After featured in relief in a single games with the Heat, Hartzell opted to venture to Germany for the remainder of the season, linking up with Heilbronner Falken of the DEL2.

As a free agent after his tenure with Heilbronner, Hartzell opted to return to the ECHL signing a one-year deal with the Fort Wayne Komets to share goaltending duties alongside Pat Nagle on August 8, 2016.

Relegated to a backup role, Hartzell opted to conclude his contract with Fort Wayne and return to Europe, signing a deal for the remainder of the year with Slovakian club, HK Nitra of Slovak Extraliga on January 7, 2017.