Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Laaksonen akabva kuFinland achienda kuNorth America muna 1993 semutambi wechidiki kubva kuSM-Liiga. Akanyoresa paYunivhesiti yeDenver kwaakatamba mwaka mina yePioneers. Laaksonen akasarudzwa 191st yose neBoston Bruins mu1997 NHL Entry Draft
. Muna 1997/98, Laaksonen akaita nyanzvi yake yekutanga muNorth America, achitamba neese maCharlotte Checkers eECHL uye Bruins mubatanidzwa, iyo Providence Bruins.