Hnatiuk was born in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada and attended the University of Southern Mississippi for college in the United States.

After turning professional, Hnatiuk played on several mini-tours in the United States, winning a number of tournaments, and leading the money list on the Emerald Coast Tour in 1990 and 1991.

Hnatiuk played full seasons on the Nationwide Tour through 1997, picking up his second and third career wins in playoffs in 1995 and 1996 and earning about $200,000.

The 1999 Nationwide Tour season was again a good one for Hnatiuk, picking up his 4th career win and $176,000 in earnings.

*Note: The 1996 Nike Carolina Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.