U18 Worlds could define next-best blueliner for 2025 NHL Draft class
The 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship could go a long way to determining the most coveted blueliner at the 2025 NHL Draft—after Matthew Schaefer, of course.
Despite not playing any hockey since breaking his clavicle while playing for Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, Schaefer topped the FCHockey Spring ranking for the 2025 draft released near the start of March.
The likely battle for the right to be the second defender to hear their name called will take center stage from April 23 to May 3 in Texas, with the two likely candidates — Jackson Smith of Canada and Radim Mrtka of Czechia — set to compete for their countries.
“They are close in terms of general range for the 2025 draft, for sure,” FCHockey chief scout Donesh Mazloum said. “I expect both Smith and Mrtka to be taken within 10 picks of each other in the early-to-mid first round.”
Breaking Down Radim Mrtka’s Game
Mrtka, no. 9 and no. 2 defenseman in the FCHockey Spring ranking, has the kind of size that NHL teams drool over at 6-foot-6 and 207 pounds.
He’s also got an arsenal of skills that make him an incredibly intriguing prospect for any team needing to add to their defensive prospect pool.
“The uniqueness of Mrtka is the thing that stands out,” FCHockey regional scout Kareem Elshafey said. “Giant right-handed defenders who can skate and are able to defend the rush just as well as in-zone coverage aren’t common. Add in some offensive instincts, and he’s an exciting prospect, even though he has more development than the average lottery pick.”
The 17-year-old, who has three points (one goal, two assists) in three games for Czechia at the U18 Worlds, had a productive first season as he transitioned to North American hockey. Making the move from playing at the junior level in Czechia in 2023-24 to Seattle in the Western Hockey League in 2024-25, after a brief pro tour back home, didn’t seem to faze the blueliner.
Mrtka registered 35 points (three goals, 32 assists) in 43 regular-season games in the WHL to finish fourth among draft-eligible defenders in league scoring, behind Smith, Will Sharpe, and Jonas Woo. He added another three points, all assists, in six playoff games while taking 12 shots on goal.
“I really value Mrtka’s level of involvement in all areas of the ice,” Mazloum said. “It speaks to the intelligence he brings to the game to best maximize his impressive physical tools. He is always impactful with his ability to read the play and get involved. He has true shutdown potential without the puck-moving limitations of a pure defensive defenseman.”
Breaking Down Jackson Smith’s Game
Smith’s production jumps off the page more than Mrtka’s. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound defender potted 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists) in 68 regular-season games with Tri-City. He added another three points (one goal, two assists) in five postseason appearances.
Smith, no. 15 in FCHockey’s Spring rankings, finished behind Schaefer, Mrtka, and the University of Wisconsin’s Logan Hensler as the fourth-ranked defender in the draft class.
“For better and sometimes for worse, Smith plays a high-event game,” Elshafey said. “He’s a flawless skater who can carry the puck and jump into the play when presented the opportunity. Defensively, he’s a much more polished rush defender currently with better decision making needed in his own zone along with being harder to play against more consistently. I have an easy time seeing Smith being a top-four, all-situations blueliner.”
Where Smith, who has two goals in two games for Canada, really makes his mark is with his skating ability, which is near the top of this year’s draft group.
“The easy answer is his skating stride, as I think it’s the best in the region and one of the best in the entire draft class,” Mazloum said about what he appreciates in Smith’s game. “At his best, he patrols the back end with effortless mobility, showing agility and power in all directions. I sometimes question his decision-making, but he has the explosiveness and pace to make up for mistakes, whether his own or a teammate’s.”
Pressure is on at the U18 Worlds
Playing for Canada will always increase the eyeballs on a player, and with it come bigger expectations.
As the highest-ranked draft-eligible defender on the roster, Smith will have a chance to prove his status with a big tournament in a potential last showing in Texas before the draft in June.
As such, there’s more pressure on Smith than Mrtka to push his draft stock as high as possible.
“I think purely from a role perspective, Smith’s performance will be more illuminating for scouts, and therefore he will have more to lose — but I also think more to gain,” Mazloum said. “His ability to rise to the occasion and lead the Canadian defense corps will dictate whether NHL teams see him as potentially the second-best defenseman available in this draft.”
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