High profile NHL player implicated in money laundering. (Breaking News)

Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek is off to a slow start this season and there may very well be an off the ice reason for his underwhelming performance. Vanek was tied to a federal gambling investigation this summer, which is bad enough considering the collective bargaining agreement prohibits players from betting on NHL games, but now the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle is reporting that Vanek may have also been involved in money laundering for the very same gambling ring. They reported that Mark Ruff, a New York based bookmaker, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal gambling and money laundering charges. Ruff claims he laundered a $230,000 check to cover a gambling debt, a check signed by a New York Islanders player. Ruff's attorney was evasive when answering direct questions about Vank but everything seems to be pointing to him being the player who handed over his salary check to the Rochester gambling ring. "(Local attorney James) Wolford declined to say whether the payment came from Vanek, who has been linked to the alleged Rochester-based gambling ring," the story says. "Vanek has acknowledged testifying before a grand jury and sources say his name turned up in records seized from the alleged bookmakers." While Wolford refused to implicate Vanek directly he stated he was surprised that Vanek's agent claims he was never involved in any wrongdoing. We will keep you posted as information continues to leak out on this story. Image courtesy NHL.