Career
Antti had a seven-year National Hockey League career, mostly as a third line wing and penalty killer for the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. Laaksonen left Finland for North America in 1993 as a junior pro from the Master of Science-Liiga. He enrolled at the University of Denver where he played four seasons for the Pioneers.
Laaksonen was selected 191st overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
In 1997-1998, Laaksonen made his professional debut in North America, playing with both the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL and the Bruins affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Unable to become a regular with the Bruins by the end of the 1999–2000 season Laaskonen left the Bruins as a free agent.
On July 14, 2000, Antti signed with the Minnesota Wild for their inaugural season. Antti became a fixture in the Wild offense resulting in four seasons with the Wild.
On July 2, 2004, Laaksonen was signed as a free agent by the Colorado Avalanche to a two-year contract.
With the 2004-2005 National Hockey League lockout, Laaksonen played his first game with the Avalanche in their season opener for the 2005-2006 season. Laaksonen established career highs with the Avalanche scoring 16 goals and 34 points. On June 28, 2006, the Avalanche exercised their option for the 2006-2007 season.
During the season however, a poor run of form led Laaksonen to be demoted to affiliate, the Albany River Rats of the AHL. At season"s end, Laaksonen left North America and signed with Swiss team The Human Context Fribourg-Gottéron of the National Lawyers Association on June 18, 2007.
After only one season with Gottéron he returned to his native Finland and signed with Lukko of the Master of Science-Liiga. In his second season with Lukko, Antti captained the team on its return to the post-season before retiring and settling where he enjoyed the majority of his National Hockey League success" in Minnesota.
