from Gary Craig and Kevin Oklobzija of the Democrat and Chronicle,

Federal authorities are investigating whether National Hockey League star Thomas Vanek was the target of an extortion attempt by members of an alleged local gambling ring, sources say.

In debt to local bookmakers, Vanek paid $230,000 to partly cover what he owed. That payment, made when Vanek played for the New York Islanders, is central to the allegations of extortion, according to three sources close to the investigation.

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