Los Angeles - With the 9th overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres have selected defenseman Radim Mrtka from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League.
Mrtka is a 6’6”, 218 lb defender who recently completed his first season in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds where he notched 35 points, including 32 assists which was good for 2nd on the team, behind fellow top prospect, Braeden Cootes who had 37 assists. Prior to playing for the Thunderbirds, Mrtka played for various teams in his home country, including a handful of games for HC Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga, the highest level of professional hockey in the Czech Republic.
"While Mrtka isn’t a particularly punishing player, he’s an active and aware defender. He scans for threats, ties them up, and rotates well. Though he lands the occasional big hit, his physical impact comes through his ability to absorb contact, win retrievals, and deny space. With possession, Mrtka’s no slouch, either. He makes tricky passes off the wall on retrievals, joins the rush, and manages space well at the top of the zone."- EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide
Mrtka featured photo by - Evan Morud via Everett Silvertips
Mrtka hero photo by - Eric Hiller via Come As You Are Hockey