Radim Mrtka

Born 9 June 2007 in Havlíčkův Brod, Radim Mrtka came up through the Czech development path before crossing over to North America. He learned his trade inside the Oceláři Třinec system, moving through their youth ranks and establishing himself as a defenseman with offensive instincts.

In 2023–24 he split time in Třinec's junior groups, producing 4 goals and 7 assists in 19 games with the under‑20 club and 3 goals and 3 assists in 17 games at the under‑17 level. The Seattle Thunderbirds selected him 71st overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, marking the start of his move to major junior hockey abroad.

Mrtka opened 2024–25 with Oceláři Třinec, recording one assist in 10 ELH games before signing with the Thunderbirds on 27 November 2024. He finished that WHL regular season with 3 goals and 32 assists in 43 games. His stock rose at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft when the Buffalo Sabres chose him ninth overall; Buffalo signed him to a three‑year entry‑level contract on 15 July 2025.

He spent most of the following season back in the WHL with Seattle, then joined the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, at the close of the Thunderbirds’ season to take part in the Americans’ playoff run. In March 2026 his name surfaced in trade speculation tied to a potential move for Colton Parayko to St. Louis, but Parayko’s contract clause prevented the deal and Mrtka remained with Buffalo. Thunderbirds coach Matt O'Dette praised his response to the media attention, calling him unflappable.

Internationally, Mrtka was named to the Czech roster for the 2026 World Junior Championships in December 2025; he was scoreless in five games and earned a silver medal. On the ice he is defined by a blend of puck‑moving ability from the back end and defensive structure, traits that underpin his role as a promising prospect in the Sabres organisation.