The hockey world is mourning the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce, a longtime NHL.com beat reporter for the Minnesota Wild, who died at 38 alongside her three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, and their dog in a house fire early Saturday, March 21. Pierce had covered the Wild for the past decade and co-hosted a weekly hockey podcast.
“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 in a statement. “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
The blaze, which claimed the lives of Pierce and her three children broke out just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday in White Bear Lake, where emergency crews arrived to find the home already fully engulfed in flames, according to local officials. The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to a 911 call at 5:26 a.m. after neighbors reported flames “coming through the roof” and warned that the house was likely occupied.
Authorities initially confirmed that one adult and three children had died but did not immediately release their identities.
One of Pierce’s neighbors described the frightening moments the flames engulfed the house.
“We were sleeping. By the time the cops woke us, it was like a tornado of smoke,” Julie Andrus told the Minnesota Star Tribune, recalling the chaos as first responders rushed in.
A day before the tragedy struck, Pierce posted a photo of herself and her kids at a local ice-cream shop.
Pierce, who was a graduate from Iowa State University, built her career writing for outlets such as USA Hockey, The Athletic, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, Massachusetts Hockey and regional publications, gaining recognition as a dedicated voice in the sport.
Following the tragic news, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette shared an emotional tribute:
“I just wanted to pass on my condolences for Jessi Pierce. I’ve known her a long time. She was a wonderful person, loved hockey, loved people, somebody I looked forward to all the time when I would go to Minnesota. It’s a sad day in hockey. Her passion for the game, her passion for the Wild, is unsurpassed, and we’re going to miss her. It’s a tragedy.”
Michael Russo, a Wild beat writer for The Athletic, said: “There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are. 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.
“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 added: “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.”
Kristen Krull, who co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast alongside Pierce, wrote, “Family isn’t always blood, but the people you choose, and that couldn’t have been more true. Jessi was like another big sister to me. 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. Most importantly, she was the best mom and loved her kids and family fiercely.”
Following the fatal fire, a GoFundMe fundraiser was quickly launched with a goal of $140,000, and has raised $79,000 so far.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of Jessi Hinrichs (Pierce), her three children, and their family dog,” the fundraiser page reads. “Jessi had a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart. She was devoted to her family, going above and beyond to create many moments of joy and everlasting memories.”
“The children, each with their own unique personalities, shared Jessi’s zest for life and love for adventure. They leave behind Mike, husband to Jessi and loving father of their children, who is now experiencing an unimaginably difficult time,” it further stated.
Piece and her children are survived by her husband and the kids’ father, Mike Hinrichs.
May they rest in peace.
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