As a youth, Helbling played in the 1995
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from
Zürich. Helbling was drafted in the 6th round, 162nd overall by the
Nashville Predators in the
1999 NHL entry draft. In the
2005–06 season, Helbling played 60 games for the
Springfield Falcons of the
AHL before he was recalled to the
Tampa Bay Lightning to make his NHL debut. Helbling signed with the
Washington Capitals for the
2006–07 season, playing primarily with AHL affiliate, the
Hershey Bears, before he was traded by the Capitals to the Sabres along with
Dainius Zubrus for a first round pick and
Jiri Novotny on February 27, 2007. Helbling was then assigned to the affiliate of the Sabres, the
Rochester Americans. Following the season, Timo returned to his native
Switzerland, signing with HC Lugano. But revoke his deal with
HC Lugano and make remaining season contract with
Oulun Kärpät contract includes trial period until Christmas brake. Helbling plays his first game in
Oulun Kärpät on November 16, 2010. During the World Hockey Championships 2010 Helbling caused confusion by getting in an altercation with Germany's coaches after losing a game against them. After two seasons with
HC Fribourg-Gottéron, Helbling was traded with a year remaining on his contract to fellow NLA club,
SC Bern in exchange for
Ryan Gardner on April 2, 2015. On September 11, 2017, Helbling was suspended for 6 games and fined CHF 5,400 for a hit on a referee during a game against
HC Davos on September 8, 2017. On June 18, 2018, Helbling joined freshly promoted
SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers on a one-year deal worth CHF 450,000. In the
2018-19 season, Helbling helped the Lakers remain in the NL, posting 1 goal and 4 points in 26 games before concluding his 621-game National League career at the conclusion of the season on April 9, 2019. ==Career statistics==