That season, he was called up by the Vancouver Canucks and became the first Danish citizen to play and register a point in an NHL playoff game.

Hansen has recalled neither he nor any of his peers ever having any realistic aspiration to make the NHL, describing "Everyone grew up wanting to play in Sweden, or Germany, or Finland" instead.

[7] Hansen developed with the Rødovre Mighty Bulls of the Danish Oddset League, joined the senior team at age 16.

Despite his success the previous season, his selection was delayed to the latter stages of the draft due to his small stature and a traditional lack of NHL players coming out of Denmark.

Hansen's proficiency in English played a part in Winter Hawks general manager Ken Hodge selecting him.

In Game 5 of the series, with the Canucks facing elimination in overtime, Hansen played an instrumental part on the ice when the Ducks scored.

Hansen played his first full season with the Canucks in 2008–09, making the roster out training camp and establishing himself as a third-line forward.

Prior to making the NHL, he relied more on skill and finesse, having been a go-to offensive player for teams up to that point.

[5] Hansen scored his first NHL regular season point on 11 October 2008, an assist on a Ryan Kesler goal against the Calgary Flames.

[20] Midway through the season, Hansen was briefly sent back to Manitoba for the Canucks to make room on the roster for the recently acquired Mats Sundin.

[23] The following 2009 pre-season, Hansen injured his hand during a fight against Edmonton Oilers forward Gilbert Brulé,[24] He returned to the lineup in mid-November 2008 after missing 19 games.

[29] Many in the media, including those from the local Province newspaper, suggested that he ceded to the Canucks' negotiations, to which Hansen responded, "If you want to be in a position to win, you have to make some sacrifices.

[31] The following month, Hansen earned a brief stint playing on the Canucks' first line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin, replacing Alexandre Burrows.

Hansen earned praise from local and league-wide media amidst a strong start to the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season.

[36] Playing the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2013 playoffs, Hansen failed to record a point in four games as the Canucks were swept.

[39] On 28 February 2017, Hansen was traded by the Canucks to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Nikolay Goldobin and a conditional 4th round-pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

[41] On 2 August 2018, having reached the end of his 12-year NHL career, Hansen signed for Russian club, HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League.

[42] In the 2018–19 season, Hansen continued to play his two-way defensively responsible role on the third line, contributing with 7 goals and 18 points in 45 games.

[43] Hansen made his international debut with Denmark in Division I play of the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships, held in Slovenia.

[45] At the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships, Denmark finished first in their Division I group, earning a promotion to the main tournament for the following year.

He registered an assist in three games as Denmark finished second in their group to Germany, missing out on a promotion to the main tournament for the following year.

[51] In February 2005, Hansen made his debut with the Danish men's team, competing in qualification play for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

[25] Unavailable for the 2011 IIHF World Championship due to a run to the Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks, Hansen rejoined Denmark the following year in Finland and Sweden.