NHL Reporter Jessi Pierce, Her 3 Children Die in House Fire

NHL reporter Jessi Pierce, her three children and the family dog were killed in a house fire. She was 37.

“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 on Sunday, March 22. “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”

Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at a single-family home in Minnesota around 5:25 a.m. local time on Saturday, March 21, according to the White Bear Lake Fire Department.

“Neighbors that made the 911 call reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house and stated there were likely people inside of the house,” a statement from Fire Chief Greg Peterson read via Facebook. “Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved structure fire and immediately began fire suppression efforts. Crews were then able to locate an adult, three children and a dog inside of the house. Unfortunately, all were deceased.”

The statement noted that the department’s “hearts ache for those involved in this tragedy,” continuing, “We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”

The statement was captioned, “It is a very difficult and sad day for our community. We will provide updates when it is appropriate. Our main focus at this time is on everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Pierce, who graduated from Iowa State University, was a contributor to NHL.com for the past 10 seasons and also worked for the Minnesota Wild. Michael Russo, a reporter for The Athletic, honored Pierce’s legacy via social media while sending a message to her husband, Mike.

“There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are,” he wrote via X on Sunday. “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.”

Related: 1 Person Dead After Fire at Home Belonging to NASCAR Star Denny Hamlin

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UPDATE — 12/29/25, 3:15 p.m. ET: One person has died, while another remains hospitalized, after a fire broke out at a North Carolina house belonging to NASCAR star Denny Hamlin. The residence was home to Hamlin’s parents, officials said on Monday, December 29.  The identities of the two individuals have not been released. According to […]

Russo’s tribute noted that Pierce “absolutely loved” her three children “more than anything” and was “the greatest mother who did everything she could to bring joy to her sweetest kids.”

“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,” Russo wrote. “Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.”

Russo continued, “Please keep Jessi and her beautiful kids in your thoughts and prayers. I wish Mike all the peace and support and happiness in the world. A lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi everyday, laughing with her everyday. The press box and press room won’t be the same without her. It’ll be a lot quieter, a lot less funny. But her passion and joy for covering this hockey team and sport will remain.”