Thomas Vanek, who played briefly with the Islanders last season, is reportedly connected to a federal gambling investigation in Rochester, N.Y., according to News10NBC in that city.
Vanek and his lawyer were seen walking into a court room Monday morning, but had no comment two hours later when they departed.
In statement released by his agent, Vanek says they have asked for his cooperation in an investigation. He says he’s cooperating and isn’t a target of the probe or prosecution.
The investigation involves the Marina Restaurant in Charlotte and its co-owners, Paul Borrelli, Joseph Rupp and Nathan Paetsch, who face multiple counts of illegal gambling. Paetsch was a teammate of Vanek’s when the two played for the Rochester Amerks of the AHL in 2004-05.
Vanek recently signed a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Wild, who had no comment.
He played over eight seasons with the Sabres before he was traded to the Islanders last season. Vanek had 17 goals and 44 points in 47 games with the Isles, but the pending unrestricted free agent declined a contract offer from the team, which traded him to the Canadiens. Montreal didn’t offer him a contract once the season ended.
In nine seasons, Vanek has played 663 games, scored 227 goals and totaled 556 points. The 30-year old made the All-Star team in 2009.
Vanek also made headlines earlier this year when he was the captain of the Austrian hockey team in the Winter Olympics and went out drinking and partying with a group of his teammates until 6 a.m. following a win.