The Buffalo Sabres selected defenseman Radim Mrtka with the ninth pick in the 2025 NHL Draft Friday night.

Mrtka's first season in North America saw him notch 35 points in 43 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL.

Before the draft, Sabres Assistant General Manager Jerry Forton praised the hulking, right-handed defenseman.

"Mrtka's a very unique package," Forton said. "To be able to move the way he does at 6'6". Almost more agile with puck, if that's possible. Smart player at both ends.

"I was over in the Czech Republic earlier in the year when he wasn't getting a lot of playing time in the mens league over there. To see what he was willing to do to move to North America. Comes from a background where he has very little in way of resources for hockey or anything outside of hockey. Uprooted. High character kid. Huge ceiling, I think," Forton said this week.