 He was drafted in the second round, 45th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.After being drafted, Balmochnykh made his North American debut with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL in the 1998–99 season.He then joined the Ducks organization and was assigned to the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League.