Jessi Pierce, a prominent hockey reporter who spent a decade covering the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com, died Saturday morning in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
She was 37 years old.
Three children — identified as Hudson, Cayden, and Avery — also perished in the fire. The family dog was also found deceased inside the residence.
The White Bear Lake Fire Department revealed to Fox 9 that its crews responded to a reported fire at a single-family home on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Neighbors called 911 after seeing flames coming through the roof of the house and told operators there were likely people inside.
After arriving on scene, firefighters found a fully involved structure fire.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
“It is a very difficult and sad day for our community,” the White Bear Lake Fire Department said in a statement. “Our main focus at this time is on everyone affected by this tragedy.”
The National Hockey League released a statement mourning the loss.
“The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jessi Pierce and her three young children,” the NHL said.
“Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
The NHL.com team added: “The entire NHL.com team is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jessi and her children.”
“Jessi’s love of her family and hockey was evident in the energy and passion she brought to her work for us. She was an absolute joy to talk to and work with. She will be deeply missed.”
The Minnesota Wild also released a formal statement.
“The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children,” the team said.
“Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL. Jessi and her children will be greatly missed.”
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them.”
Pierce’s husband, Mike, survived.
“Jessi was beautiful, vibrant, and full of life — she lit up every room she walked into and made everyone feel welcome,” Mike Hinrichs, Pierce’s husband, said, according to CBS News.
“She left a lasting mark on everyone lucky enough to know her.”
Pierce had built a far-reaching career in hockey journalism. An Iowa State University graduate, her byline appeared across NHL.com, The Athletic, USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey.
She also co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast.
Pierce’s co-host on Bardown Beauties, Kirsten Krull, said Pierce was like “another big sister” to her.
“Family isn’t always blood, but the people you choose — and that couldn’t have been more true,” Krull said.
“She had a confidence and a way of being able to talk to anyone that I envied. She had an unmatched work ethic and a huge heart. Any time I needed help, needed to rant or needed someone, she was there without hesitation.”
The evening before the fire, Pierce posted photographs on X from a family outing to the Cup and Cone ice cream shop in White Bear Lake with her children.
Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for The Athletic, paid tribute to Pierce on social media.
“Jessi Pierce (Hinrichs) was the most vibrant person — the life of the party, always with a smile on her face, always bringing a passion to every article and podcast and interview she did,” Russo wrote.
“Jessi simply loved covering the Wild and hockey throughout Minnesota and had a way of brightening everyone’s day with her upbeat, bubbly personality. I have literally NEVER met anybody that had a way of being EVERYBODY’s friend.”
Russo continued: “More than anything, she absolutely loved Hudson, Cayden and Avery and was the greatest mother who did everything she could to bring joy to her sweetest kids. Even at Friday’s practice in her beloved Iowa State sweatshirt, she was so excited to take them to the seasonal opening of Cup and Cone in WBL. Seeing those precious pics yesterday, she provided them with another incredibly fun and loving day.”
Russo closed his tribute with a message to the family. “My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children and Jessi’s family, friends and colleagues for this unimaginable loss.”
“This hockey community lost a wonderful, energetic and one of a kind voice and story teller and Grade A person. Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.”
