At a young age Frank Helmer developed a passion for the sport of lacrosse.  He played 7 seasons in the Cornwall Minor Lacrosse Association, where he learned the game and developed his skills.  His abilities eventually landed him a roster spot with the Junior Cornwall Celtics, where he played from 1968 to 1972, and several times during those years would be called up to play for the Senior Wildcats. Frank was a 6’2”, 215 lb. punishing defenceman who was also able to find the back of the net. He was often used on the power play to screen opposing goalies, once resulting in a 5-goal game.

Frank was the defensive cornerstone of a Celtics team which became Ontario Junior B Champions in 1970. He would later play 3 seasons of Senior A lacrosse with the Brampton Excelsiors, who reached the pinnacle of Canadian lacrosse when they qualified for the Mann Cup final in 1975, eventually losing the national championship series in game 7 to the New Westminster Salmonbellies.