Antti Laaksonen

Finnish professional ice hockey player Antti Laaksonen plays in Switzerland for the Fribourg-Gotteron of the Nationalliga A. He previously played in the National Hockey League from 1998 to 2007.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Antti Akseli Laaksonen
2. Born: October 3, 1973
3. Birthplace: Tammela, Finland
4. Nickname: Laakso
5. Height: 6' 0"
6. Weight: 180 lbs.
7. Position: Left wing
8. Shoots: Left
9. College: University of Denver
10. Draft year:
11. Spouse: Jennifer
12. Enjoys fly fishing¹
13. Active with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital¹

NHL Career

Laaksonen was drafted 191st overall in the 1997 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins. He played one season with the Bruins' American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins, before joining the Boston Bruins in 1998 for his NHL debut. On July 14, 2000, Laaksonen signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild. He played four seasons with the Wild, then signed as a free agent with the Colorado Avalanche on July 2, 2004. Laaksonen did not play during the 2004-05 NHL lockout and joined the Avalanche in 2005. Late in the 2006-07 season, the Avalanche assigned Laaksonen to their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats. He chose not to continued with the Avalanche franchise and signed with the Swiss Fribourg-Gotteron on June 18, 2007.

Career Highlights

• 2001: World Ice Hockey Championship, silver medal
• 2006: Winter Olympics, silver medal

Timeline

• 1989-93: FoPS Forssa, SM-Liiga
• 1993-97: Denver Pioneers
• 1997: Drafted by the Boston Bruins
• 1997-00: Providence Bruins, AHL
• 1998-00: Boston Bruins
• 2000-04: Minnesota Wild
• 2005-07: Colorado Avalanche
• 2007: Albany River Rats, AHL
• 2007-present: Fribourg-Gotteron, Nationalliga A

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