He was drafted in 2005 by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round (170th overall). After seeing time in the Devils farm system he was traded in September 2008 from New Jersey to the Phoenix Coyotes. New Jersey received Kevin Cormier in exchange for Zimmerman. He attended Coyotes training camp that same year, but did not make the team and was assigned to the minor leagues. In the minors he split time between Phoenix's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the San Antonio Rampage and their Central Hockey League (CHL) affiliate the Arizona Sundogs. Zimmerman recorded 2 goals and 5 points in 56 games with the two clubs. He again participated in Coyotes training camp the following season, but was once again sent to the minors. He played in 72 games during the year for the Rampage and improved his point total to 9 and added a +13 rating (up from a combined -10 the season before). At the NHL trade deadline Zimmerman, along with a sixth round pick in the 2010 draft, was traded by Phoenix to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Mathieu Schneider.