The hockey community is grieving a heartbreaking loss following the death of Jessi Pierce, a longtime NHL.com reporter covering the Minnesota Wild. She passed away at the age of 38 alongside her three children—Hudson, Cayden, and Avery—and their family dog in a devastating house fire early Saturday, March 21. Pierce had spent the past decade reporting on the Wild and was also known for co-hosting a weekly hockey podcast.
In a statement, the NHL expressed deep sorrow:
“The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Pierce family. Jessi loved the game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for many years. She will be deeply missed.”
The fire broke out shortly before 5:30 a.m. in White Bear Lake. Emergency crews arrived to find the house already fully engulfed in flames. According to local officials, firefighters responded to a 911 call at 5:26 a.m., after neighbors reported seeing flames coming through the roof and feared people were still inside.
Authorities initially confirmed that one adult and three children had died, though their identities were not immediately released.
A neighbor, Julie Andrus, described the terrifying scene:
“We were asleep. By the time police woke us up, it felt like a tornado of smoke,” she told the Minnesota Star Tribune, recalling the chaos as first responders rushed to the scene.
Tragically, just a day before the fire, Pierce had shared a photo with her children at a local ice cream shop—an image that now stands as a painful reminder of a life full of love and everyday moments.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Pierce built a respected career in sports journalism, contributing to outlets such as USA Hockey, The Athletic, Minnesota Hockey Journal, Massachusetts Hockey, and other regional publications. She was widely known for her dedication and passion for the sport.
Following the news, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette paid tribute, saying:
“I’ve known Jessi for a long time. She was an incredible person who loved hockey and loved people. It’s a very sad day for the hockey world. Her passion for the game and for the Wild was unmatched.”
Michael Russo, a fellow Wild reporter for The Athletic, shared his grief:
“There are no words for how heartbroken we are. Jessi was full of life—always smiling, always bringing energy and passion to everything she did. I’ve never met anyone who could connect with people the way she did.”
He added that beyond her career, she was deeply devoted to her children:
“She loved Hudson, Cayden, and Avery more than anything. She was an incredible mother who did everything to bring joy into their lives.”
Kristen Krull, her co-host on the Bardown Beauties podcast, also shared an emotional message:
“Jessi was like a big sister to me. She had a confidence and warmth that drew people in. She worked incredibly hard and had such a big heart. No matter what I needed, she was always there. Most of all, she was an amazing mom who loved her children fiercely.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the family, with a goal of $140,000. So far, it has raised over $79,000.
The fundraiser describes Jessi as someone with “a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart,” devoted to creating joyful memories for her family. It also highlights the unique spirit of her children, who shared her love for life and adventure.
Jessi and her children are survived by her husband, Mike Hinrichs, who now faces an unimaginable loss.
May they rest in peace.