Radim Mrtka has been one of the early-season discoveries for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, coming off of a very respectable D-1 season where he managed to establish himself as one of the staples on the Czech international team. For a while, it has felt like a breakout was inevitable for the 6’6, right-handed defender. The wait seems to have ended after this year’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, where Mrtka was an essential part of the Czech blueline, leading his team to a silver medal.
Mrtka’s natural shutdown game had not gone unnoticed by HC Oceláři Třinec’s men’s team either. Immediately following the tournament, Mrtka would find himself playing top-4 minutes for them in the Champions Hockey League. It seems that wherever he goes, Mrtka wins over his coaches.
Radim Mrtka Scouting Report
Position: Defense
DOB: June 9th, 2007
Height: 6’6 (197 cm)
Weight: 198 lbs (90 kg)
Nation: Czechia
Team: HC Oceláři Třinec (Czechia) -> Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Shoots: Right
Skating
Generally, when talking about players who are Mrtka’s size, skating is relative to the extra mass they carry. Radim Mrtka bucks the trend. By virtue of his more defensive-leaning style of play, he’s never really chasing the action or skating in dead heats. Mrtka’s proficiency is displayed by the power he generates with his stride while never sacrificing the fluidity of his motion. 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. Whether it be clean lateral cuts:
Or sharp stops and starts to reposition himself:
Mrtka’s elusiveness is something rare. It is cliché, but also true that players of Mrtka’s size do not generally move like this.
Defensive Play
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.
His sweeper style also makes him a challenge to overcome off the rush because he just takes up too much damn space. Watch how challenging it is for Dustin Willhoft to get separation from Mrtka in this clip:
Mrtka matches him stride for stride and eliminates his space as if it were routine; then quickly reloads and pushes play up the ice. The restraint he displays here is remarkable. All too often, junior defenders will panic when defending the rush and immediately try to challenge the body or extend themselves to try and limit the damage for a teammate. This is especially apparent when it’s an opposing team’s star player, as it was in this case. Mrtka, however, remained composed, confident, and disciplined, particularly with his stick.
It’s why he’s so challenging to play against. Mrtka doesn’t play like a bruiser, but rather like a defender six inches shorter. He pressures carriers’ ability to handle the puck, cuts their angles, and robs them of the time and space they need to develop play.
He’s already shown that he’s able to play his defensive game at a very consistent rate. It’s likely what earned him the trust of HC Oceláři Třinec’s men’s team in the Czech top division and the Champions Hockey League, to not only play but to get a genuine look in a top-4 spot.
Simply put, it’s very hard for any forward to beat a 6’6 defender as mobile, composed, and strong as Mrtka.
Offensive Play
Mrtka’s offensive game is centered on confidence. Whether by pinching deep in the offensive zone:
Or booming breakout passes:
Mrtka’s aggressiveness is consistently driving plays forward and enabling his forwards to keep pucks deep.
Yet. Mrtka is not reckless. His risk-taking is always informed by his vision.
Before even taking the puck, Mrtka looks behind himself twice to ensure he has the time and space he needs to make a play. Then, just like a QB collecting the rock, he quickly shifts his feet to load into a passing position with natural finesse. By the time he’s set, he has already recognized a gap in coverage due to the changing US player, creating a numbers advantage on the far wall. He then places his bank pass well enough for it to get chipped into a 2-on-1, resulting in a goal. If there was a third assist to give, Mrtka definitely would’ve earned it.
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.
Physicality
Mrtka’s physical game is disciplined. That’s not to mean subdued, as he can still lay the body.
Rather, he doesn’t rely on outmuscling his competition, often opting to keep his gaps tight and finding ways to make moves on the puck.
Just because playing the body isn’t Mrtka’s default, doesn’t mean he’s any less willing to get feisty.
He’s shown aptitude as a net-front defender and is a willing participant to battle in the corners.
Generally, Mrtka’s use of physicality is employed subtly, coming out in the details of his game. It shows in how he priortizes keeping his back to forecheckers, the way he pushes off opponents on his pinches, and the way he brute-forces people into corners. They are testaments to Mrtka’s disciplined defensive style. He’s not destroying everything that moves, rather opting to play effective, imposing, and — most importantly — penalty-averse defensive hockey.
Looking Forward
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. Mrtka tends to struggle under heavy pressure, especially when caught by surprise. Limiting those panicked moments will also be integral going forward, especially since his two-way value comes from his ability to make quick reads confidently and efficiently. He will need to raise his offensive numbers by a couple of levels to make an impact in the NHL.
Still, even if Mrtka doesn’t pan out offensively, it’s doubtful an NHL team will lament selecting a shutdown defenseman who can play on your second or third pair and kill penalties.
The appeal and rarity of Mrtka’s profile make him an interesting project and likely means he will hear his name called early next June.
Check back here at RecruitScouting.com for more coverage of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft as the year goes on.
