VP Sports & Entertainment presents: Thunderbirds defenceman Mrtka inks entry-level contract with Sabres

It’s official – Radim is living the dream!

Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Radim Mrtka put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level deal with the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday morning.

The news comes less than a month after hearing his name called in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, Calif.

The towering defenceman was the first WHL talent off the board, going ninth overall to the Sabres.

With the ninth overall pick in the 2025 #NHLDraft, the @BuffaloSabres have selected Radim Mrtka from the @SeattleTBirds!#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/eEYYQPxb9T

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) June 28, 2025

While his selection at the draft was a clear highlight for the Czech-born prospect, there was still much to love about his entire season.

Originally selected 72nd overall by Seattle during the 2024 CHL Import Draft, Mrtka joined the T-Birds ranks in November 2024. Standing at 6-foot-6, and weighing-in at 216 pounds, Mrtka’s booming presence proved to be an immediate upgrade for Seattle’s blue line. In a mere 43 regular season appearances, the Havlickuv, Czechia local posted an impressive 35 points (3 G-32 A) and a plus/minus of +10. And, despite joining the roster in late November, Mrtka quickly climbed up the T-Birds ranks, finishing first in points among defenceman and tied for fifth in team scoring. With a points-per-game average of 0.81, Mrtka also ended the season first among all draft-eligible blueliners in the category.

Radim Mrtka sneak peek 👀

He's known for his defensive stickwork, skating ability, and generating offense. #LetsGoBuffalo | @SenecaBuffalo pic.twitter.com/LKgOPerodk

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 28, 2025

Pairing his stats with his stature, the opportunity to nab Mrtka in Los Angeles was a simple one for the Sabres.

“I think it’s a package that’s pretty rare – 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman that plays a good two-way game, good with the puck,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said following at the NHL Draft. “Good feet, mobile, plays hard. Really, really good kid.

Just in my experience as general manager over the years, it’s extremely challenging to get those type of players if you don’t draft them, so we just felt when that guy’s on the boat, that was the right pick to make.”

Having competed in the Sabres’ 2025 development camp at the end of June, Mrtka now shifts his focus to a summer filled with off-season training ahead of his first NHL training camp with the Sabres.