Radim Mrtka (D, R, 6’6″, 210, Seattle Thunderbirds, 06/09/2007)
Radim Mrtka is a towering, right-shot defenseman who combines size, athleticism, and advanced mobility to project as a top-pairing NHL blueliner. His smooth skating, puck-handling & soft first touch, and ability to impact both ends of the ice make him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NHL Draft class. While his defensive instincts and puck-moving skills are already highly developed, Mrtka needs to bring a more consistent physical edge and refine his decision-making under heavy pressure to reach his full potential. If he continues to progress, he has the tools to be a cornerstone shutdown defenseman with offensive upside at the NHL level.
Strengths:
Skating and Mobility:
Exceptional footwork and agility for a player of his size, allowing him to evade pressure and move fluidly in all directions.
Effective side-to-side movement, especially when running the power play, to create shooting and passing lanes.
Powerful stride with excellent balance, making him difficult to knock off the puck.
Puck Skills and Offensive Contributions:
Soft hands and strong puck-handling ability, capable of executing skilled dekes you would expect from a smaller player, and quick movements in tight spaces.
Consistently delivers accurate, hard tape-to-tape passes, completing 90% of his passing attempts.
Confident and effective on the rush, often joining or activating as the second layer to the line rush.
Defensive Ability:
Uses his size and reach to take away time and space, forcing attackers to the perimeter and into poor decisions.
Reads plays well, averaging six takeaways per game while maintaining elite puck anticipation and positioning.
Effective at separating opponents from the puck with subtle physicality and balance rather than heavy hits.
Special Teams Value:
At the junior level is a contributor on both the power play and penalty kill units.
Runs the second power-play unit with poise, utilizing his mobility and vision to distribute pucks and create offensive opportunities.
Dominates on the penalty kill by closing gaps, using his stick to disrupt plays, and keeping opponents to the outside.
He is willing to block shots.
Athleticism and Poise:
Demonstrates a natural ability to adapt under pressure, often creating time and space with his composure and edgework.
Has the physical tools and hockey IQ to match up against top offensive players and be a consistent option for key defensive zone face-offs.
Areas for Improvement:
Consistency Under Pressure:
Needs to scan the ice more consistently to read and adapt to the pace of play under heavy forechecking pressure.
Occasionally rushes decisions when under duress, leading to giveaways in the defensive zone.
Physical Presence:
While he effectively uses his size, balance and reach Mrtka could bring more consistent physicality to his game, especially in the defensive slot.
Adding a more punishing edge in board battles and net-front situations would make him even more difficult to play against.
North American Adjustments:
Will need to adapt to the faster, more aggressive pace of North American hockey, particularly in the smaller rinks.
Improving his ability to quickly process multiple layers of forechecking pressure will aid this transition.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Aug 2024):
Played a critical role for silver medal-winning Czechia, averaging 21 minutes per game and contributing two points.
Dominated defensively with his size, reach, and gap control, shutting down and frustrating top opponents.
Showcased offensive upside with creative plays at the offensive blue line and confident rushes.
Radim Mrtka’s unique blend of size, skating, and hockey IQ gives him the potential to be a top-pairing NHL defenseman. His ability to impact the game at both ends of the ice, combined with his calm under pressure, makes him an invaluable asset in all situations. With further development in his physical game and decision-making, he could become a cornerstone defenseman capable of anchoring a defensive unit for years.
Draft Outlook: Top-15 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, with the potential to rise into the top 10.
Player Comparison: Travis Sanheim – A towering, mobile defenseman with elite shutdown ability and offensive upside.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images