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The hockey world is in mourning following the tragic deaths of Jessi Pierce, a respected reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild, and her three young children in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. She was 37. The National Hockey League confirmed the heartbreaking news after the early morning blaze claimed the lives of one adult and three children.
Local authorities responded to the fire shortly before 05:30 local time after neighbors called 911, with the White Bear Lake Fire Department arriving to find what officials described as a "fully involved structure fire," according to Fox 9.
A neighbor, Julie Andrus, described the terrifying scene as it unfolded in the early hours.
"We were sleeping. By the time the cops woke us, it was like a tornado of smoke," she told The Minnesota Star Tribune.
The NHL released a statement honoring Pierce's contributions to the sport and expressing condolences to her loved ones.
"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 league said.
"Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly."
A beloved voice in NHL coverage
Pierce built a respected career covering hockey, particularly through her work with NHL.com, where she reported on the Wild for the past 10 seasons.
Her connection to the team and the broader hockey community extended beyond reporting - she was also known for her work with The Athletic and as a co-host of the Bardown Beauties podcast.
A graduate of Iowa State, Pierce contributed to several prominent publications, including USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey.
Her passion for the sport and her ability to connect with players, colleagues, and fans made her a widely respected figure across the hockey landscape.
The Minnesota Wild also issued a statement reflecting on her impact: "The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children," the team said.
"Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that 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.
"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."
An emotional tribute from a colleague
Michael Russo of The Athletic, a colleague and friend, shared a deeply personal tribute, identifying Pierce's children as Hudson, Cayden, and Avery, and noting that she is survived by 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 said.
"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.
"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.
"Even at Friday's practice in her beloved Iowa State sweatshirt, she was so excited to take them to the seasonal opening of Cup and Cone in WBL. Seeing those precious pics yesterday, she provided them with another incredibly fun and loving day.
"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. Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it's impossible to make sense of this tragedy."
The loss of Pierce and her children has sent shockwaves through the NHL community, leaving colleagues, players, and fans grappling with an unimaginable tragedy.