Former Montreal Canadien Thomas Vanek appeared in a Rochester, N.Y. courtroom Monday afternoon to give witness testimony into a federal gambling investigation.
The high-scoring Minnesota Wild winger, who was not offered a free agent contract by the Canadiens after a low-scoring playoff performance, reportedly appeared voluntarily and is not under any suspicion.
Vanek, a 30-year-old from Vienna who spent much of his career in Rochester and Buffalo, offered no comment.
Nor did his agent Steve Bartlett, who said that Vanek is not under suspicion and has done nothing wrong.
Bartlett released a statement from Vanek: “Representatives of the U.S. Federal Government have asked for my cooperation in an investigation. I am not the subject of any investigation or prosecution. I will fully cooperate with the U.S. Federal authorities in their investigation or in any proceedings arising out of it.”
According to WHEC Rochester, the court appearance was in connection with 23 charges of illegal gambling leveled against three men connected to a restaurant in Charlotte, New York.
Vanek was a late-season acquisition for the Montreal Canadiens last spring, scoring 15 points in 18 regular season games for the Canadiens.
He then racked up another 10 points in 17 games in the playoffs, but was criticized for his low-production.
He had previously only played 26 playoff games in 10 seasons prior to the Habs’ run to the semi-finals this year.
