Timo Helbling

Playing career

Timo Helbling got his start in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, skating for a Zurich-based squad. The Nashville Predators picked him in the sixth round, 162nd overall, during the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2005-06 season, he suited up for 60 games with the AHL's Springfield Falcons before the Tampa Bay Lightning called him up for his NHL debut. The next season, he signed with the Washington Capitals and spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. On February 27, 2007, the Capitals traded him and Dainius Zubrus to the Buffalo Sabres for a first-round pick and Jiri Novotny. Buffalo then sent him to their AHL team, the Rochester Americans.

After that season, Helbling headed back to Switzerland, initially signing with HC Lugano. He backed out of that deal and instead inked a contract with Finland's Oulun Kärpät, which included a trial period running until the Christmas break. He played his first game for Kärpät on November 16, 2010. At the 2010 World Hockey Championships, he stirred up trouble by getting into a confrontation with Germany's coaches after a loss to them.

Helbling spent two seasons with HC Fribourg-Gottéron, then was traded to fellow NLA side SC Bern on April 2, 2015, with a year left on his contract, in exchange for Ryan Gardner. On September 11, 2017, he received a six-game suspension and a CHF 5,400 fine for hitting a referee during a September 8 game against HC Davos. On June 18, 2018, he joined the newly promoted SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers on a one-year deal worth CHF 450,000. In the 2018-19 season, he helped the Lakers stay in the NL, notching one goal and four points in 26 games. He wrapped up his 621-game National League career on April 9, 2019.