A Minnesota community is heartbroken after a devastating fire tore through a family home in White Bear Lake on Saturday, killing a veteran NHL reporter and her three young children, according to NHL officials.
Jessi Pierce, 37, who spent a decade covering hockey in Minnesota, was among four people found dead after the blaze engulfed a house in White Bear Lake. The NHL confirmed Pierce and her three children were killed.
“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 NHL said in a statement. “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to reports of a fire at a single-family home in the 2100 block of Richard Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Neighbors who called 911 reported seeing flames shooting through the roof and told the dispatcher that people were likely inside.
When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed, FOX9 reported. Inside, firefighters located one adult and three children who had died. A dog was also found dead.
Earlier in the day, Pierce had shared photos on X showing her with her children at the local ice cream shop, Cup and Cone.
A graduate of Iowa State, Pierce covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for 10 seasons and previously contributed to The Athletic, USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal and Massachusetts Hockey. She also co-hosted the “Bardown Beauties” podcast and spent time working directly with the Minnesota Wild, according to an obituary published by NHL.com.
“The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
Michael Russo, who covers the Wild for The Athletic, wrote about Pierce on X, calling her “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.”
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation.
“Our hearts ache for those involved in this tragedy,” White Bear Lake Fire Chief Greg Peterson said in a statement.
“We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”
