Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Nikulin akatambira Chikwata cheRussia. Akakwikwidza pa1999 under-18 Championship, akawana menduru yesirivha pa2000 World Junior Championship
, bronze pa 2007 World Championship, sirivha pa 2010 World Championship uye goridhe pa 2008, 2009 uye 2012 IIHF World Championships. Akasarudzwa kuti apinde mumutambo weOlympic weRussia muna 2010.