Before playing in the NHL, Radulov played 1 season with the Mississauga IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Radulov was drafted with the 74th overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played 7 games with the Blackhawks before being sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Norfolk Admirals. After a season with the Admirals, Radulov was called back up to the Blackhawks. He would play 36 games with them before he was again sent down. He played 54 games with the Admirals before leaving for Russia after the 2004–05 NHL lockout.