Tragedy as beloved NHL reporter Jessi Pierce, 37, and her three children are killed in house fire
Beloved NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children died in a house fire in Minnesota on Saturday, the league has confirmed.
The White Bear Lake Fire Department confirmed to Fox 9 that one adult and three children were tragically killed in the fire, though they did not confirm their identities.
However, the NHL announced the heartbreaking passing of Pierce, 37, and her three children - Hudson, Cayden and Avery - in a statement on Sunday. Pierce and her children are survived by her husband and their father, Mike Hinrichs.
'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.
'Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.'
The fire department responded to a 911 call in White Bear Lake just before 5:30am Saturday from Pierce's neighbors, who saw flames coming through the roof and said there were likely people inside.
Beloved NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children died in a house fire on Saturday
Pierce was a mother to three young kids in Hudson, Cayden and Avery (pictured on Friday)
As pictured by Fox 9, Pierce's home is seen after local firefighters extinguished the blaze
It is believed they found a 'fully involved structure fire' upon arrival. A deceased dog was also discovered at the scene as well as a deceased adult and three deceased children. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
'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.'
On Friday, Pierce shared photos on X of her trip to the 'Cup and Cone' ice cream shop in White Bear Lake with Hudson, Cayden and Avery.
The hockey writer covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for the last decade and spent time working for the team, while she previously wrote for The Athletic.
She also wrote for USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal and Massachusetts Hockey among other publications.
Pierce's husband, Mike Hinrichs, was not harmed in the fire. Reporter Michael Russo shared his condolences in a post on X: 'My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children'
Mike and Jessi Hinrichs (Pierce was her maiden name) are seen with their three children
She covered the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com for the last decade and spent time working for the team
The 37-year-old mother of three loved her children 'more than anything', an ex-colleague said
Pierce, who previously worked for The Athletic, was one of the NHL's most beloved reporters
'The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children,' the Wild 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, a Wild beat writer for The Athletic, said: 'There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are. 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.'
Pierce is pictured with her children while adorned in Team USA hockey apparel
Pierce is seen in net while wearing a t-shirt honoring Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson
Jessi Pierce is pictured alongside her father, whom she frequently mentioned in the media
Mike and Jessi Pierce are seen picking out a tree with chidlren Hudson, Cayden and Avery
Russo added: '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.'
Pierce co-hosted The Bardown Beauties podcast with Kirsten Krull, who shared a few memories of her dear friend online.
'Family isn’t always blood, but the people you choose and that couldn’t have been more true,' Krull wrote on X. 'Jessi was like another big sister to me. She had a confidence and a way of being able to talk to anyone that I envied. 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.'
