With the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have selected Czech defenseman Radim Mrtka from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Mrtka, born on June 9, 2007, is a towering right-shot defenseman, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 207 pounds. The 18-year-old spent the 2024-25 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he tallied 3 goals and 32 assists for a total of 35 points in 43 regular season games. His performance ranked him third among rookie defensemen in the WHL with 0.81 points per game.
Before joining the Thunderbirds, Mrtka played for HC Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga (ELH). During the 2023-24 season, he recorded 4 goals and 7 assists in 19 games with the U20 team and 3 goals and 3 assists in 17 games with the U17 team. He also represented Czechia in international competitions, including back-to-back years at the Under-18 World Junior Championship and winning a silver medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Jerry Forton, Assistant General Manager for the Sabres, praised Mrtka's unique skillset, noting his agility and puck-handling abilities for a player of his size. Forton also highlighted Mrtka's character and willingness to move to North America to pursue his hockey career.
Chris Peters from FloHockey provided an instant reaction, emphasizing Mrtka's limitless ceiling as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman with superior mobility. Peters noted that Mrtka has the potential to be one of the best defensemen in the draft, projecting him as a top-four defenseman in the future. While acknowledging that Mrtka needs to add physicality to his game, Peters believes his potential is incredible.
The Sabres' selection of Mrtka addresses their need for right-shot defensemen within their system. With established left-shot defensemen like Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson already on the roster, Mrtka adds organizational depth on the right side. The Sabres also recently acquired right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring via trade from Utah, further solidifying their defensive prospects.
NHL Central Scouting described Mrtka as a "huge 6'6” right-handed two-way defenseman" who "looks like the prototype of an NHL player". They also praised his skating ability, noting his mobility, acceleration, and speed for a player of his size. Mrtka himself believes his size and strength allow him to play a more physical game, which is becoming increasingly important in today's NHL.
