Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: Kolkunov gbara otu oge na Krylja Sovetov nke Russian Superleague tupu Pittsburgh Penguins ahọrọ ya na 154th n'ozuzu na
1995 NHL Entry Draft. Ọ ga-anọgide na Russia ruo mgbe emechara oge 1997-98 RSL. Na 13 Julaị 1998, ndị Penguins bịanyere aka na Kolkunov na nkwekọrịta afọ atọ. Ọnwa ole na ole ka nke ahụ gasịrị, ọ gara ogige na Penguins mana e mechara kenye ya Syracuse Crunch, ndị bụ ndị mmekọ AHL nke Penguins n'oge ahụ. Kolkunov ga-anọ na North America ruo mmalite nke oge 2000-01 ECHL, ebe ọ họọrọ ịla ụlọ mgbe egwuregwu asatọ gasịrị kama ịga n'ihu na-egwu na Wheeling Nailers. Kolkunov ga-ejedebe oge ahụ na Ak Bars Kazan nke RSL.