Longtime NHL reporter Jessi Pierce tragically dies in house fire alongside her three children

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA: Jessi Pierce, a sports reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild, tragically died alongside her three young children in a deadly house fire on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The White Bear Lake house fire also claimed the life of her pet dog.

The Minnesota Wild issued a statement after the tragedy, saying, “The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children. Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her.”

Jessi Pierce remembered as 'a valued member' of NHL team

The statement further read, “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.”

The National Hockey League (NHL) also mourned the loss. In a statement, it said, “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. Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”

Jessi Pierce was passionate towards her work

Additionally, Bill Price, vice president and editor-in-chief of NHL.com, shared that the death of the beloved reporter has left the team “devastated and heartbroken.”

“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,” Price added.

Fire appeared like 'a tornado of smoke'

The cause of the fire is still not known. As per reports, firefighters responded after receiving a call regarding a fire at a house in the 2100 block of Richard Avenue just before 5:30 am on Saturday.

When the officials arrived, they found “a fully involved structure fire.” Later, a deceased adult and three deceased children were discovered. Neighbor Julie Andrus described the fire as “a tornado of smoke.”

The cause of the fire is still not known. 

Michael Russo, who covers hockey for The Athletic, revealed the names of the children as — Hudson, Cayden, and Avery.

Jessi Pierce was 'everybody's friend'

In a post on X, Russo wrote, “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.”

“I have literally NEVER met anybody that had a way of being EVERYBODY’s friend,” he noted, before asserting, “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.”

Russo also identified Mike as Pierce’s husband as he added in his lengthy post, “My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children. Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.”