NHL Reporter Jessi Pierce and Her Three Children Have Passed in a House Fire

A very heartbreaking story has emerged out of Minnesota. NHL reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children as well as pet has passed in a house fire. Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at a single-family home on March 21 located on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue at around 5:25 a.m. local time; after a neighbor saw fire coming from the roof of the house.

Pierce, who was a contributor to NHL.com for the past 10 seasons, died in the fire alongside her three children — Hudson, Cayden and Avery. As mentioned by People Magazine, “[Jessi] after graduating from Iowa State University, pursued her dream of becoming an NHL writer by working for the Minnesota Wild and going on to have her work featured in countless publications, including USA Hockey, The Athletic and the Minnesota Hockey Journal.”

As news of this tragedy began to spread the National Hockey League released the following statement:

“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.”

Michael Russo of The Athletic who was colleague of Pierce; also posted his condolences online. He writes,

“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.

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.

Please keep Jessi and her beautiful kids in your thoughts and prayers. I wish Mike all the peace and support and happiness in the world.

A lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi everyday, laughing with her everyday. The press box and press room won’t be the same without her. It’ll be a lot quieter, a lot less funny. But her passion and joy for covering this hockey team and sport will remain.

Sorry for the length of this, but as Jessi knew better than most as my original Athletic “backup” and somebody who always gave me Minnesota Hockey Journal deadline extensions, as she used to joke, I’m incapable of writing tight.

Especially about her.

RIP Jessi, Hudson, Cayden and Avery.”

NHL Reporter Jessi Pierce and Her Three Children Have Passed in a House Fire

So far, there is not much information available about the fire that unfortunately took the lives of Pierce and her young children. We also have not been able to ascertain what caused the tragedy or why no one was able to escape. However, Fire Chief Greg Peterson did ask this of all, “Our hearts ache for all those involved in this tragedy. We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”

Among the many organizations that have come forward to offer condolences, the Minnesota Wild was fittingly among the first. Minnesota stated, “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.” Yes, Jessi Pierce will definitely be missed. We too share our deepest condolences with the Pierce family.

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