Jessi Pierce was a vital part of the Minnesota hockey scene through her contributions to NHL.com, covering the Minnesota Wild and all-things hockey.
MINNEAPOLIS — Tributes began pouring in Sunday, with condolences on the passing of NHL reporter and podcast host Jessi Pierce and her three children. Pierce and her family reportedly lost their lives in a house fire over the weekend, according to league officials.
Local authorities said a fire at a White Bear Lake house on Saturday morning claimed the lives of an adult, three children and a dog. According to officials, the house was fully engulfed in flames upon the arrival of firefighters, and all occupants were pronounced deceased on the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Pierce was a vital part of the Minnesota hockey scene through her contributions to NHL.com, covering the Minnesota Wild and all-things hockey.
The Minnesota Wild posted on their Instagram page, saying that they are “heartbroken and join the State of Hockey in mourning the tragic loss of Jessi and her children.”
“Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her,” the Minnesota Wild wrote. “She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL.”
In an X post, the National Hockey League also sent prayers and condolences to the Pierce family, saying that “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade.”
Together with Kirsten Krull, Pierce was also a co-host of the “Bardown Beauties” podcast on SKOR North, covering Minnesota hockey. In a social media post, Krull paid tributes, writing that Pierce was like a sister to her.
“She had an unmatched work ethic and a huge heart. Any time I needed help, needed to rant, or needed someone, she was there without hesitation. Most importantly, she was the best mom and loved her kids and family fiercely,” Krull said.
“We are absolutely devastated by the death of our coworker and friend Jessi Pierce (Jessica Hinrichs), as well as her three kids, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery,” SKOR North’s Phil Mackey wrote in a social media post. “Jessi was a joy to be around and work with. She was a bright light for us at SKOR North – both as a wildly talented podcast host and as a caring friend.”
Among the many tributes, condolences were posted by the former General Manager of PWHL Minnesota Natalie Darwitz, and the senior writer covering the Minnesota Wild and NHL for The Athletic Michael Russo.
“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,” Russo wrote in his X page. “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.”