Radim Mrtka (born 9 June 2007) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract as a prospect to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He was selected ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2025 NHL entry draft.
Early life Mrtka was born to Miloš and Helena in Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic.
Playing career Mrtka played with Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga (ELH) during the 2023–24 season. He recorded four goals and seven assists in 19 games with the under-20 team, and three goals and three assists in 17 games with the under-17 team. He was drafted 71st overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
He began the 2024–25 season with Oceláři Třinec, where he recorded one assist in 10 ELH games. On 27 November 2024, he signed with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. During the 2024–25 WHL season he recorded three goals and 32 assists in 43 regular season games for the Thunderbirds.
On 15 July 2025, Mrtka signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Mrtka would spend the majority of his season once again in the WHL with the Thunderbirds. After the WHL season concluded, he joined the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, to end their season and join in their playoff run. Meanwhile, the Sabres morphed into a contending team; in March 2026, nearing the league's trade deadline, rumors surfaced that Mrtka would be part of a return package to the St. Louis Blues in order for the Sabres to acquire Colton Parayko. Parayko's contract held a clause which allowed him to block the trade, and Mrtka ultimately remained with Buffalo. Regarding the rumors, Thunderbirds head coach Matt O'Dette praised how he handled the publicity, describing him as "in a lot of ways, unflappable."
International play
In December 2025, he was selected to represent Czechia at the 2026 World Junior Championships. He was scoreless in five games and won a silver medal.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2023–24 Oceláři Třinec ELH 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2024–25 Oceláři Třinec ELH 10 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2024–25 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 43 3 32 35 46 6 0 3 3 4 2025–26 Seattle Thunderbirds WHL 43 1 33 34 38 5 0 3 3 2 2025–26 Rochester Americans AHL 8 0 1 1 7 3 0 1 1 0ELH totals 13 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2023 Czechia U17 4th 8 2 2 4 2 2024 Czechia U18 6th 5 0 0 0 31 2025 Czech Republic U18 7th 5 1 3 4 4 2026 Czechia WJC 5 0 0 0 2Junior totals 23 3 5 8 39
References
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