Career
He is currently an assistant coach with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously served as an assistant coach with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). A veteran of over 1,000 AHL and IHL games, Helmer previously served as Captain for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL).
He has also played in the National Hockey League (National Hockey League) with the Phoenix Coyotes, Saint Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and the Washington CapitalsHelmer played 10 Games as a spare in the Westport Ontario old timers hockey league
Helmer went undrafted but was signed as a free agent by the New Jersey Devils in 1994.
He never played a game with the Devils, instead playing with their minor league affiliate Albany River Rats for 5 years. His most successful season with the River Rats was during the 1997–1998 season when he scored 63 points in 80 games along with 101 PIM and an appearance in the AHL All-Star Game.
Following the 1997-1998 season Helmer signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Coyotes, appearing in 11 games.
He was then released and later claimed on waivers by the Saint Louis Blues.
He appeared in another 29 games with the Blues, notching 4 assists. The 1999–2000 season saw Helmer play the majority of the year with the Worcester IceCats while also appearing in 15 games with the Blues. On February 12, 2000, Helmer scored his first career goal against Guy Hebert and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in a 6-3 Blues victory
After the 1999–2000 season Helmer signed with the Vancouver Canucks.
He spent the next 3 years bouncing between the Canucks and the minors.
On July 25, 2003, Helmer was traded by the Canucks back to the Phoenix Coyotes for Martin Grenier. He missed the majority of the 2003–2004 season due to a shoulder injury but managed to appear in 17 games with the Coyotes.
Prior to the 2008-2009 season this had been the last time Helmer played in the National Hockey League. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2004 but played 2 years in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He was re-signed by the Coyotes in 2006 and had been playing with the San Antonio Rampage.
Helmer signed with the Hershey Bears on July 24, 2008, and served as Captain of the team
On November 28, 2008, the Washington Capitals signed and recalled Helmer from Hershey due to several key injuries among the Capitals" defensemen. While with the Oklahoma City Barons Helmer became the AHL all-time leading scorer among defencemen in 2011, passing John Slaney. Helmer has 562 points in 1093 AHL games.
After captaining the Barons in his second season with the club, Helmer was left unsigned through the beginning of the 2012-2013 season, due to the National Hockey League lockout.
After an agreement was reached, Helmer was signed by the Springfield Falcons on January 9, 2013.