Adlee Scheerer, captain of the Carroll High School hockey team, died in the early hours of January 4. He was 18. Teammates, coaches, and friends are grieving a young man known for toughness on the ice and a generosity of spirit off it.
“In the early hours of January 4, God called our beloved Captain home,” reads a community message shared after his death.
“A fierce and loyal friend who cheered his people on like no other. Captain of the Carroll Hockey team, Adlee led his team with grit and determination. Never one to boast about himself, yet striving to build up everyone he came in contact with. His infectious laugh still rings in the air. Adlee was the most polite young man, always engaging in conversations with everyone.”
Scheerer was widely respected in Indiana high school hockey for a physical, determined style of play.
He helped Carroll win the 4A state championship and was honored with a ring in June 2025. Teammates praised his work ethic and said he led by example.
A Tough Captain
Earlier examples of that grit were shared online. On December 5, 2025, a Fort Wayne hockey post described him as a grinder who walked out of the ER with stitches after being shoved into the boards during a game against the Vipers.
On December 9, 2025, another post noted his stitches popped open, he was glued back together, and he still scored the game winner at the South Bend Crossover.
Robbie Starkey wrote, “That kid is all heart and soul when it comes to hockey. The kid is 100% what hockey is all about. He is a warrior.”
Carrie Graf added, “Adlee is a great kid on and off the ice.” Others wrote similar comments about his passion for hockey.
Those moments became part of his local legend and explain why his loss is hitting the community so hard.
Friends posted short, raw messages that show how personal the grief is. One friend wrote,
“Missing you, never gonna forget how funny you were or the hangouts we had.
Other friends added, “Rest easy, Adlee, won’t ever forget the hangouts we had, you were loved.” “Rest easy, buddy. Love and miss you.”
The late Hockey player also had a love for Trucks. He took photos, gave them a little acceleration, and enjoyed his time to have a good look at them.
Unfortunately, the only thing that remains for close ones now is memories, which will definitely last longer.
Community members are organizing support for his family. Kyrae Stephenson wrote that the Fort Wayne hockey community is trying to ensure Adlee’s parents and those affected are not navigating their grief alone, and are trying to raise atleast $15,000.
The GoFundMe post asks for donations to help with end-of-life expenses and asks people who cannot give financially to help by sharing the fundraiser. Shannon Gnau is listed as the organizer of the campaign.
It is unconfirmed if his death is due to injuries sustained while playing. If the family provide more information, it will be reported responsibly.
Those who knew him remember more than his toughness. A post after the team received championship rings described him as the hardest working person the poster had ever met, a leader, and a role model.
For now, the priorities are clear. The Carroll program and the Fort Wayne hockey community are sharing memories and raising funds to ease the immediate financial burden on his family.
The organizer is coordinating donations through an online fundraiser, and community members are amplifying the request through social posts.
Adlee Scheerer was 18. He wore the captain’s C for Carroll, he scored big goals in big moments, and he left a mark on teammates and friends.
