Sabres select 6’6 Defensemen Radim Mrtka
by Dontae Scisson Contributing Writer
The annual 63rd 2025 NHL draft was hosted in Los Angeles from June 27-28 at the Peacock
Theater. The first three draft picks consisted of Matthew Schaefer being picked up by the New
York Islanders, Michael Misa to the San Jose Sharks, and Anton Frondell to the Chicago
Blackhawks. The NHL has given eligibility to players born between January 1st , 2005, and
September 15th , 2007, to qualify for the entry draft, and those born after June 30th, 2005, were also
granted an opportunity to re-enter the draft. General Manager Kevyn Adams didn’t trade out of top 10, they selected Defensemen Radim Mrtka “I think it’s a package that’s pretty rare – 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman that plays a good two-way game, good with the puck,” Adams said following the first round. “Good feet, mobile, plays hard. Really, really good kid.
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IMPACT ON SABRES
The Buffalo Sabres made a few trades during the entry draft, starting with JJ Peterka being
traded to the league’s newest team, the Utah Mammoth, for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan
then later traded Sam Lafferty to the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round for 2026 draft pick
they also acquired Pittsburgh Penguins picks Conor Timmins and Isaac Belliveau for Connor
Clifton.
Michael Kesselring: According to NHL.com, Kesselring was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in
the 2018 NHL Draft in the sixth round in March of 2021, then was later traded to the former
Arizona Coyotes in March of 2023. Kesselring played in the AHL (American Hockey League)
with Bakersfield, where he won the Calder Cup.
Josh Doan: Played two full seasons for Arizona State after the 2021 NHL draft. Doan scored 37
points, 12 goals, and 25 assists for Arizona State in 35 games in his freshman year, with 38
points, 16 goals, and 22 assists as a captain in 39 games for Arizona State. Josh Doan had 19
points, seven goals, and 12 assists for Utah prior to being traded to the Buffalo Sabres in June of
2025, according to NHL.com
by Dontae Scisson
