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A deeply heartbreaking story has emerged from Minnesota, involving a NHL reporter who tragically lost her life along with her three children in a devastating accident.
Jessi Pierce, 37, died alongside her three young children after a fire engulfed their home on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The incident occurred in White Bear Lake. According to the fire department, one adult and three children were inside the residence, although authorities did not immediately confirm their identities.
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.
The NHL said in a statement.
The White Bear Fire Department responded to emergency calls reporting a fire shortly before 5:30 a.m. Firefighters requested additional support units, and upon arrival, they encountered a home completely engulfed in flames, according to Fox 9.
Tragically, a dog believed to be the family's pet was also found at the scene of the fire.
Just a day earlier, on Friday, March 20, 2026, Jessi had shared images from a visit to "Cup and Cone," an ice cream shop in White Bear Lake, where she had gone with her children.
Jessi Pierce's work with the NHL
Pierce covered the Minnesota Wild for the NHL for a decade. She also contributed to The Athletic and co-hosted the podcast Bardown Beauties.
Among her professional roles, she worked as a writer for USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey, in addition to her contributions to NHL.com.
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. 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 Wild said in a statement.
Another person who shared words in her memory was Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for The Athletic.
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.
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.
Some stories are incredibly difficult to tell, and this is undoubtedly one of them.