Jessi Pierce, a longtime NHL reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild, died March 21 in a house fire that also claimed the lives of her three children, the league confirmed. She was 37.
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The hockey world is reeling after a heart-wrenching tragedy.
Jessi Pierce, an NHL reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild, died along with her three children Hudson, Cayden and Avery, in a house fire March 21, the league confirmed. 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 league said in a statement March 22. “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
One day earlier, firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at a single-family home in White Bear Lake, Minn., after neighbors reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house, according to a press release from the White Bear Lake Fire Department. The organization noted that officials on the scene located an adult, three children and a dog inside the home, all of whom were deceased.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the source of the blaze.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Jessi’s work was featured in numerous publications including USA Hockey, The Athletic and the Minnesota Hockey Journal. She also cohosted the Bardown Beauties podcast, covering the Wild as well as the hockey scene at large.
Throughout her 10 seasons covering the NHL team, Jessi was a beloved member of her community, described as a “fixture” in the press box at the Grand Casino Arena, according to an obituary shared by the hockey league. She was also remembered for her devotion to her family, often bringing one of her kids to watch the Wild practice.
Following the fire, the Wild issued a statement calling Jessi “a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her.” Several NHL teams responded to the X post, offering condolences to her family and the Minnesota hockey community.
Jessi’s Bardown Beauties cohost Kirsten Krull also paid tribute to her late podcast partner, writing on Instagram that she was “like another big sister” and that her children “loved her kids and family fiercely.”
“Hudson, Cayden and Avery were the best kids,” Kirsten continued, “and I’m so grateful she let me be part of their lives.”
Meanwhile, The Athletic reporter Michael Russo shared a particularly poignant message for Jessi’s husband Mike Pierce in the wake of the tragedy.
“My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children and Jessi’s family, friends and colleagues for this unimaginable loss,” he wrote on X. “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.”
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