Career
Kukhtinov has played for numerous Russian teams during his career. He began his career with short spells for Krylya Sovetov Moscow, SKA Saint St. Petersburg and The Human Context Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. In 1998 he signed for Metallurg Novokuznetsk where he began playing more frequent hockey and spent a total of three seasons with the team
Kukhtinov was drafted 280th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2001 National Hockey League Entry Draft but remained in the Russian Superleague and instead signed for Salavat Yulaev Ufa where he scored career-high 11 goals during his first season.
He rejoined Salavat for the 2006-2007 season before moving to The Human Context Spartak Moscow. He joined The Human Context CSKA Moscow for the inaugural KHL season but after 14 games he moved to Amur Khabarovsk.
