Draft Preview: Late Start Doesn’t Hamper Mrtka

Editor’s Note: The Detroit Red Wings will select 13th at the NHL draft next week in Los Angeles. Detroit Hockey Now is profiling prospects expected to land in the No. 10-20 range. Today we look at Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka. NHL’s Central Scouting ranks Mrtka fifth among North American prospects. 

You could call Radim Mrtka a late bloomer.

“Not until I turned 14 years old did I really start to take hockey seriously,” Mrtka recently told NHL.com. “I just enjoyed playing it with my friends but never went to skills or skating camps.”

He;s been working to make up for lost time ever since, so much so that the Seattle standout is considered the No. 2 defenseman and No. 5 overall skater in June’s NHL Draft. 

Not bad for a youngster who began the season in Czechia’s top pro league, not joining the WHL’s Thunderbirds until November.He was minus-4 in his first three games, then put up 35 points in 40 regular season games. 

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“He impressed right away. … He had no issues adjusting to the North American style of play and ice surface,” Thunderbirds coach Matt O’Dette said. “In his first weekend he had a bit of jet lag but stepped right into the lineup and impressed right away.

“When he arrived it was quite evident he was a top-pairing defenseman for us and a guy that would play all situations. I think his smarts not only allow him to excel on the power play, but the penalty kill, and in situations where we need a goal and when we need to defend the lead.”

Mrtka Similar To Red Wings Seider

Those who have seen the 6-6, 218-pounder on the ice see another player Wings fans are familiar with. 

“I think it’s a fair comparison to (Moritz Seider),” NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams said. “When he arrived in November, he played every situation from the get-go because (Seattle) had some injuries. For a guy who’s 6-foot-6, he moves very well, has a little bit of bite in his game, and can jump up on the rush. I think he’d be a very good [No. 2 defenseman] who can play with a really good, skilled player.”

The Red Wings undoubtedly would be interested in Mrtka, but he likely will be gone when the Red Wings make their pick. But multiple mock drafts have Detroit taking Mrtka.

Mrtka already has a season in North America under his belt, and he’s fluent in English, which should make his development progress that much quicker. 

“It’s impressive to see the body coordination for a player that size, and how well he speaks English, coming over and transforming himself right away in the Western Hockey League,” Utah Mammoth director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski said. “He’s right-handed, big and powerful. That’s pretty exciting for anybody who gets ahold of him.”

Chances are the Mammoth will have a shot at him with the No. 4 overall pick. 

At 6-6, he’s got the size NHL teams covet on the blue line, and he’ll work on consistency at the next level, whether it be in the WHL with Seattle or in the minors somewhere else.