Rochester, MI- Oakland ACHA DI Hockey head coach Nick Mammel has named Cole Helgemo and Trevor Zelenock to his coaching staff starting with the 2025-26 season. They will join assistant coach Greg Meuser who will return for his third season behind the bench.
Helgemo played for Oakland during the 2017-18 season scoring 25 goals in 33 games. He has over 20 years of competitive hockey experience. In addition to playing at Oakland, he played juniors the USPHL Elite with the Hampton Roads Whalers and NA3HL with the Nashville Jr. Predators, where he was on the 2014-15 team with Mammel. Helgemo also played in the MIHL for the Waterford Sharks.
“I’ve known Cole since he played here in 2017.” General manager Corey Hagood stated. “He was a great player for us and an even better person. Cole always had a high hockey IQ, and to see him start his coaching career with us is no surprise. Nick and I are pleased he is joining our staff and we believe he will help in our players development.”
Zelenock comes to Oakland after he was an assistant coach in the USPHL and a longtime scout for the NCDC’s Utah Outliers, helping them form a team that would capture the Mountain Division championship in 2022-23. Zelenock became the youngest
GM and Head Coach in MIHL history when he took over the Blue Water Stars during the 2023-24 season. His playing career includes four years at Grand Blanc High School, where he set the school record for most games played. Continuing his career at Oakland University, before moving into a leadership role as their Director of Gameday Operations/Recruitment, where he helped the team reach two ACHA III national tournament appearances.
“I reached out to Trevor earlier this year and explained our staff vision for the program.” Hagood stated. “We are happy he was interested in joining our staff, so I connected him with Nick to see if a fit was there and naturally it was.”
“I’m pleased we are able to have them along with Greg learn from Nick and develop as coaches are we take a step in the right direction this summer. I’m really excited for what the future holds.”
