Radim MRTKA

Defenseman
6’6/207
Right
Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL

Related: Jackson Smith

Radim Mrtka is Czech-born, right-handed shooting defenseman, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 207 pounds. Mrtka began his youth career with BK Havlíčkův Brod and has played for teams including HC Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga and the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League (WHL). In the 2024-2025 season, Mrtka transitioned to the WHL, joining the Seattle Thunderbirds. This move has been instrumental in his development, showcasing his adaptability to North American ice and enhancing his draft stock for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Mrtka is recognized as a two-way defenseman with strong skating abilities for his size. His proactive approach, effective rush defense, and high-end defensive zone awareness make him a formidable presence on the ice. He was projected to be a top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft, with rankings placing him within the top 20, but he has shot up boards since moving to the WHL, quashing a lot of doubt about how his game would adjust to the North American ice. If anything, Mrtka has looked even more at home in Seattle, using his reach, proactive approach, strong rush defense habits, and high-end defensive zone awareness to be a smothering defenceman. There’s a lot of runway for Mrtka, even despite his NHL-ready habits and frame. He could still get a little bit stronger, which will only aid him in board battles and net-front battles. If he pans out, Mrtka could blossom into a 1B, all-situations defenceman.

Size/Strength Excellent
Skating Great
Shot/Scoring Average
Puckhandling Average
Physical Play Great
Offensive Play Good
Defensive Excellent
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. The hulking right-shot defender is quite mobile for his size, and he uses that to impact the game at both ends of the ice. His skating, especially on straight lines, is powerful.
2. He’s undeniably skilled, and at 6’6”, the things he can do with the puck are pretty impressive; on top of that, the high-end smarts and reading of the play that he brings absolutely translate to the offensive zone and offensive transitions.
3. Uses his reach, proactive approach, strong rush defense habits, and high-end defensive zone awareness to be a smothering defenceman.

Weakness

1. His Offensive game is still a work in progress.
2. Needs to grow into his tall and lanky frame.

Scouting Report

Radim Mrtka is a 6-foot-6, 207-pound defenseman currently playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. He is projected as a two-way defenseman at the NHL level, with the potential to be used in all key in-game moments. Mrtka is a huge 6-foot-6 defenseman who showcases a bit more skill on any given shift than his point total might suggest. The mobility and dexterity of Radim Mrtka, not his strength, is what separates him from a lot of his peers. Whether that’s by exploiting his edges to create space for himself or by shifting his weight to fight off pressure, Mrtka has all of these little tools in his repertoire that are generally not found in players of his stature. He’s big, strong, smart, and proved he could shut down just about anyone. Mrtka’s disciplined physicality, effective gap control, and subtle use of his size make him a formidable presence on the ice. He is adept at keeping his back to forecheckers, pushing off opponents on pinches, and forcing players into corners, all while maintaining a penalty-averse style. Mrtka moves very well for a big man. His skating, especially on straight lines, is powerful. I’m monitoring how Mrtka adjusts to the smaller ice surface in North America compared to Europe and how he reads and reacts to developing plays off the cycle and along the boards. Offensively, Mrtka is a good puck distributor along the blue line, though he does not demonstrate high-end potential in this area. As expected for a player his size, Mrtka has remarkable reach and he uses it to great effect. The combination of his mobility and reach makes sure he’s never out of a play, even when backchecking. Mrtka’s defensive game will always be his cornerstone, but the offensive game is surprisingly well attuned to what will be asked of him at future levels and lends well to his projectability. In terms of NHL comparisons, Mrtka has been likened to Travis Sanheim, a towering, mobile defenseman with elite shutdown ability and offensive upside. Radim Mrtka promises to be one of the best defensive defenders in the draft. Yet, his added two-way value gives him one of the highest upsides as well. To get there, Mrtka will need to learn how to mentally handle the pace of the men’s game. Overall, Mrtka’s combination of size, skating ability, and hockey IQ gives him the potential to be a top-pairing NHL defenseman. With further development in his physical game and decision-making, he could become a cornerstone defenseman capable of anchoring a defensive unit for years.

Skill: Two-way defenseman with strong skating ability and high end D zone awareness

NHL Comparable: Travis Sanheim

NHL Potential: Top Pair Two-way Defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	HC Ocelari Trenec U20	Czechia U20	26	5	15
	Czechia U17	WCH-17	8	2	4
	Czechia U18	WJC-18	5	0	0
2024-25	Czechia U18	Hlinka Gretzky Cup	0	2	2
	HC Ocelari Trinec	Czechia	10	0	1
	Seattle Thunderbirds	WHL	22	2	20