NHL Reporter Jessi Pierce Dies in House Fire with 3 Children

Beloved hockey reporter shared final photos with kids day before tragic incident

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:06am

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Jessi Pierce, a 37-year-old NHL reporter, tragically died in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota along with her three young children. Just a day before the incident, Pierce had shared heartbreaking photos of her final outing with her kids to their favorite ice cream stand.

Why it matters

The sudden and devastating loss of Jessi Pierce, a respected and beloved member of the hockey community, has left many in shock and mourning. Her vibrant personality and passion for the sport made her a valued presence, and her death at such a young age alongside her children is a tragic reminder of the fragility of life.

The details

On Saturday morning, a fire broke out at Pierce's home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of Pierce, her three children, and the family dog. The previous day, Pierce had shared photos on social media of her final outing with her kids, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery, to their favorite ice cream stand. The images showed the family enjoying treats and a sub sandwich, with Pierce capturing the joy and carefree moments of their time together.

  • On Friday, March 22, 2026, Pierce and her children visited the Cup and Cone ice cream stand.
  • The fire that claimed the lives of Pierce and her three children occurred on Saturday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Jessi Pierce

A 37-year-old NHL reporter who covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for the past 10 seasons. She was also a co-host of the Bardown Beauties podcast and had written for various other hockey publications.

Hudson, Cayden, and Avery

Jessi Pierce's three children who died in the house fire alongside their mother.

Mike Pierce

Jessi Pierce's husband, who survived the fire.

Michael Russo

A hockey writer who covers the Minnesota Wild for The Athletic and paid tribute to Jessi Pierce's vibrant personality and passion for the sport.

Zach Halverson

A Minnesota Wild Broadcast Engineer who also expressed his condolences and remembered Jessi Pierce's positive impact on the hockey community.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Michael Russo, Hockey Writer, The Athletic

“From a [Minnesota Wild] practice in the morning to enjoying ice cream with her kids in the afternoon, if there is any solace in this tragedy, it's that Jessi's last day was spent doing the things she loved most—covering hockey and being a mom. The rink will never be the same without her smile, her humor, and her passion for the game.”

— Zach Halverson, Minnesota Wild Broadcast Engineer

What’s next

The cause of the fire that claimed the lives of Jessi Pierce and her three children is still under investigation by local authorities.

The takeaway

The sudden and tragic loss of Jessi Pierce, a beloved member of the hockey community, and her three young children has left many in mourning. Her vibrant personality, passion for the sport, and dedication to her family made her an inspiring figure, and her legacy will continue to be felt within the hockey world.