Background
He was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Shalunov grew up playing youth hockey in Russia.
He was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Shalunov grew up playing youth hockey in Russia.
Shalunov was selected in the 4th round (109th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft. During the 2010-2011 MHL season, Shalunov played with the Belye Medvedi, the Junior Hockey League (MHL) team, which contains hockey players from the school affiliated with the Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL team He also played six games with Traktor in the KHL during the 2010-2011 KHL season.
After being drafted by the Blackhawks, Shalunov returned to Russia and played the 2011-2012 MHL season with Belye Medvedi.
During the 2012-2013 season, Shalunov"s time was divided between Belye Medvedi as well as Traktor"s VHL team, Chelmet Chelyabinsk. He also played one game with Traktor.
Shalunov played in North America during the 2013-2014 season. He started the season with the Rockford Icehogs, the Blackhawks" AHL affiliate.
After registering four assists in twenty games with Rockford, Shalunov was assigned to the Toledo Walleye, the Blackhawks" ECHL affiliate.
On July 28, 2014, Shalunov signed a one-year contract with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL.