Jessi Pierce, a beloved NHL reporter, died in a Minnesota house fire alongside her three kids and their dog

Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at a single-family home on March 21 after a neighbor saw fire coming from the roof of the house

“Jessi was a kind, compassionate person who cared deeply about her family and those around her,” the Minnesota Wild said in a statement after Pierce's death

Jessi Pierce, a beloved NHL reporter, and her three children died in a house fire in Minnesota.

On Saturday, March 21, firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at a single-family home located on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue at around 5:25 a.m. local time, according to the White Bear Lake Fire Department.

After neighbors reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house, noting that there were likely people inside, crews found a fully involved structure fire upon arrival.

Firefighters immediately began fire suppression efforts and were able to locate an adult, three children and a dog inside the house. Unfortunately, the White Bear Lake Fire Department confirmed that all were deceased.

“Our hearts ache for all those involved in this tragedy,” Fire Chief Greg Peterson wrote in a news release. “We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”

Shortly after the incident, the NHL confirmed that Pierce, who was a contributor to NHL.com for the past 10 seasons, as well as a co-host of the Bardown Beauties podcast, had died in the fire alongside her three children — Hudson, Cayden and Avery.

“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.”

Bill Price, editor-in-chief of NHL.com, also remembered Pierce as “an absolute joy to talk to and work with.”

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“The entire NHL.com team is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jessi and her children,” he said. “Jessi’s love of her family and hockey was evident in the energy and passion she brought to her work for us. She will be deeply missed.”

After graduating from Iowa State University, the late journalist pursued her dream of becoming an NHL writer by working for the Minnesota Wild and going on to have her work featured in countless publications, including USA Hockey, The Athletic and the Minnesota Hockey Journal.

"The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children," the Wild said in a statement. "Jessi was a kind, compassionate person who 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."

Michael Russo, a reporter for The Athletic, paid tribute to Pierce on social media while sending condolences to her husband, Mike.

“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,” he wrote on X. “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.”

“Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy,” Russo continued. “A lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi every day, laughing with her every day. The press box and press room won’t be the same without her.”

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