St. Cloud community mourns teen who was killed in Saturday crash

The St. Cloud community is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old hockey player who was killed in a car crash Saturday night.

The Stearns County Sheriff office identified the victim as Charlie Boike.

“When I think of Charlie, I think of a big smile, somewhat infectious,” Jeff Boike, Charlie’s dad, said. “He’s kind of quirky, but that’s our Charlie.”

If you ever crossed paths with Charlie, it’s likely you walked away with a story that stuck with you for life.

“Probably the most caring teenager boy. He would do things that no kid would really even fathom doing,” Erika Boike, Charlie’s mom, said. “You could light up the darkest room with his smile.”

The 17-year-old was a junior at St. Cloud Tech High School.

When he wasn’t studying, he was on the ice playing for the St. Cloud Crush hockey team.

He was known for his infectious attitude on and off the ice.

“If you asked one of his teammates, they’d say yeah he’d be the water boy for you if you needed him to be,” Jeff said.

The tragedy happened less than a mile away from their doorstep.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s office said the crash happened around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night near the address of 21879 23^rd Ave in St. Augusta, about five miles south of St. Cloud.

Charlie’s SUV went off the road and into a ditch and rolled.

The report said the roads were slippery at the time of the crash due to weather and precipitation throughout the day.

Charlie died at the scene.

“It was definitely my worst nightmare come true,” Erika said.

Erika and Jeff explained the community has come from every direction to support the family during this difficult time.

The community dropped off food for the family and calls have flooded in to offer them support.

“The hockey community is in times of tragedy the glue that keeps a family that struggling together,” Erika said.

Some call the Boike family the heart of hockey in the St. Cloud area.

Charlie’s parents have a hand in the sport and the Boike brothers have played the game all their lives.

Pete Matanich, St. Cloud Boys Crush hockey team coach, said the Boike family has been a part of his life for over a decade and the loss of a teammate is tragic.

“100 percent of his personality, character and heart that he showed within our team and community —you’ll never fill that void for sure,” Matanich said. “He is probably one of the best teammates a person could ask for. He would literally do anything for anybody.”

It brings them some comfort, Charlie is now playing hockey with angels.

“When you hug your kid squeeze them a little tighter because you never know what’s going to happen,” Jeff said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Boike family with expenses. CLICK HERE for that page.

The St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association released a statement regarding the tragedy:

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of one of our hockey players this past evening. Our hearts and prayers are with the Boike family and friends as we are heartbroken over the loss of our hockey teammate, Charlie.

Our hockey community is one that truly comes together in times like this and we ask you all to lift this family up as they grieve the loss of their son, brother, and friend. To honor his life, we ask all families to place a stick outside your doors tonight so he can play hockey with the angels.”