Central Europe Stock Watch: Radim Mrtka a name to watch for 2025 NHL Draft
The European hockey leagues have been in full swing for a month now, and we’re already seeing the first injuries, upsets, and surprises. Many young players have also entered the spotlight, striving to secure a permanent place on their teams. Fortunately, the trend is shifting towards giving more opportunities to youth on the ice.
Below, we take a closer look at some examples and how these young talents have fared so far.
Stock Rising 📈
Radim Mrtka, D, HC Oceláři Třinec (2025 NHL Draft)
Radim Mrtka is a massive right-handed defenceman who is a pure A-rated prospect. He moves well for his size, can carry the puck up the ice, and regularly joins the rush. He also possesses a powerful point shot. What sets Mrtka apart is his hockey IQ and attention to small details, which make him an intriguing player to watch. I particularly like his aggressive challenges against opposing players, as he knows how to use his reach effectively.
While I’ve mentioned that younger players are getting more ice time, unfortunately, Mrtka has been facing more limitations recently. He’s been given less ice time and was even sent down to Třinec’s farm team for one game.
Jiří Felcman, C, SCL Tigers (Chicago Blackhawks)
Jiri Felcman has had a phenomenal start to the season. He has 5 assists in 9 games, is getting more time on the ice, and is significantly surprising the fans of the Swiss league. Chicago management will be pleased.
Felcman has a great frame as an inside-driven centre who generates good speed with a stride that relies heavily on crossovers in open space, though he is not that mobile. His stickhandling and puck protection skills enable him to operate between the dots and fend off opponents. He's tough to knock off the puck and possesses an overall intriguing skill set.
Štěpán Černý, D, Mountfield HK U20 (2025 NHL Draft)
The Czech defender plays in the Czech Extraliga U20, where he has played 11 games so far and scored 6 points. Stepan Cerny can read the play, as he continually makes very good guesses regarding the movement of opponents to get into position and break up offensive plays. Many times, he knows how the play will unfold before it happens, adding to his dependability on defence.
This season, Černý has been good under pressure. He keeps his nerve in high-pressure moments, using his solid edgework to stay balanced and agile as forwards come at him. His lateral movement is especially effortless, with gaps being shut quickly as attackers are forced into worse positions.
Stock Steady ↔️
David Moravec, D, HC Energie Karlovy Vary
David Moravec returned to the Czech Extraliga after two years spent in Halifax. So far, he has registered 2 points in 8 games, but his team is struggling at the beginning of the year, winning 4 of 9 games, two of them in overtime. This is not his first season in the highest Czech competition; he played here in his draft year for Mlada Boleslav.
An offensive-minded defenceman, Moravec's game revolves around his strong skating skills. He's a confident puckhandler, always willing to carry the puck coast-to-coast when the chance arises. He tends to react to plays rather than anticipate them and isn't particularly known for shutting down opponents. What sets him apart is his ability to make quick, intelligent decisions with the puck and follow through effectively. He also adds a touch of physicality to his play and isn't hesitant to join the attack.
Stock Falling 📉
Jan Skok, D, HC Plzeň
Jan Skok is playing his third season in the Czech Extraliga (before that, he only played a few games), and he has scored one goal in 4 games, which was his first in this league. It was a nice wrist shot just below the blue line.
Other than that, I’m currently disappointed with his performances. His main work includes not keeping the puck in the defensive zone for too long and, on the other hand, controlling the blue line in the offensive zone. He’s facing tough opponents, but in terms of performance, it’s just not the same—he makes mistakes. I don’t want to be too hard on him; I would probably put him in the steady category. Mistakes are okay at this age, and I look forward to seeing how he continues to develop. He’s an interesting defender for Czech hockey.
