Former Wilmington DE Hockey Coach Convicted And Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison

[Youth Hockey Info]

A 57-year-old former youth hockey coach is heading to prison for two years for sexually assaulting two former players.



According to the Delaware Department of Justice, Walter "Tracy" Ferinden, of Whiting, New Jersey, "committed acts of sexual contact on numerous occasions," between the late 1980s and early 1990s, including against two Delaware boys while working out of the Skating Club of Wilmington. He was additionally a power skating coach with several NHL teams, including New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, and the Hartford Whalers.

Ferinden pled guilty in June 2018 to two counts second-degree unlawful sexual contact and was sentenced to two years in prison. He must also register as a Tier II sex offender.



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Original Arrest Story from June 2018
A former youth ice hockey coach has been arrested in connection with sexually abusing kids on teams he coached in Delaware. 

New Castle County Police said Walter "Tracy" Ferinden, turned himself into authorities Monday.  He faces nine counts of second-degree unlawful sexual contact.

The sexual abuse allegations date back to the late 80s and early 90s, police said. Police said the Lansdale, Pennsylvania man is accused of sexually assaulting two Delaware boys, who were under the age of 18.

"Although the reported incidents occurred almost 30 years ago--the law echoes the sentiment of the community," said said New Castle County Police Officer First Class JP Piser. "That these types of terrible crimes--which violate public trust--should investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Ferinden worked out of the Skating Club of Wilmington in the early 90s. Newspaper advertisements show Ferinden also worked as a power skating coach with several NHL teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, and the Hartford Whalers.

An investigation into Ferinden began with New Castle County Police's Family Services Unit in June of last year.  Officers teamed up with the Gloucester County, New Jersey prosecutor's office, after they learned the abuse occurred in Delaware and across state lines in New Jersey. 

"We have incidents in vehicles, we have incidents in homes. We have nine total incidents--seven for one victim, two for another victim," said Piser.

He was arraigned and released after posting $25,000 secured bail.

Detectives believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with any information pertaining to this investigation to call them at 302.395.2745 or call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.

[Youth Hockey Info]

Follow up.

Today Walt Ferinden was sentenced to 3 additional years in New Jersey, the sentences between Delaware, (currently serving 2 years) and New Jersey will be served following each other.

In the Delaware case, Ferinden was sentenced to two years in prison in December after pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual contact, a second-degree charge.

He’s also subject to two years probation in Delaware and must register as a Tier 2 sex offender.

On the New Jersey charges, Ferinden pleaded guilty in September to two counts of aggravated sexual contact (third-degree) in the Gloucester and Burlington cases, while two counts of sexual assault were dismissed.

Under the terms of a plea agreement in the New Jersey case, Superior Court Judge Kevin T. Smith sentenced Ferinden to 3 years in state prison. He must serve at least one year before he is eligible for parole.

Full Story

[Guest]

Nobody called him Walt. He went by Tracy Ferinden.

[Guest]

He also was at Hollydell for a few years.running clinics