Nyorai kuenderera mberi kweiyi ndima - Kovalchuk akahwina menduru dzake dzekutanga neRussia mumutambo mukuru wepasi rose kuIIHF World U18 Championships, achiwana menduru dzesirivheri negoridhe muna 2000 na2001, zvichiteerana. Akakwikwidzawo kuRussia paWorld Junior Championships muna 2001
, asi akapedza ari wechinomwe.