Khmylev played 11 seasons in his native Russia for Krylya Sovetov (Soviet Wings) before being selected as a 27-year-old in the 5th round, 108th overall, of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Khmylev represented the former Soviet Union several times on the international stage, beginning with the 1984 gold medal-winning World Junior Championships squad.

He played in Rendez-vous '87, a two-game series in Quebec City versus a team of National Hockey League all-stars and participated in the Canada Cup later that year, where the Soviets placed second.

The Unified Team, consisting of players from former Soviet states, won the gold medal, defeating Canada in the final tournament of the Olympics.

Olga now works at the Academy of Hockey at HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, NY, and is the official video presenter for the IIHF at the World Championships.