Jessi Pierce, a well-known NHL reporter in Minnesota, died alongside her three children in a house fire early Saturday morning. She was 37.
The fire broke out on March 21 at a single-family home on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake. According to the White Bear Lake Fire Department, crews were called to the scene around 5:25 a.m. after neighbors noticed flames pushing through the roof and feared people were still inside. By the time firefighters arrived, the house was already fully engulfed.
Officials later confirmed that one adult and three children had died in the incident. While authorities did not immediately release names, the NHL later identified Pierce and her children as the victims.
“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 in a statement. It also noted her long-standing role within the sport, calling her a valued part of the NHL.com team for a decade.
Fire Chief Greg Peterson also addressed the loss, saying the community is facing an incredibly difficult moment and asking for space as people come together to support one another.
Just a day before the fire, Pierce had shared photos of her children on X. The images showed her kids, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery, enjoying simple moments together, including eating ice cream and sitting down for a meal.
bag(s) secured pic.twitter.com/vUSY0x9p9r
— Jessi Pierce (@jessi_pierce) March 20, 2026
Pierce spent years covering the Minnesota Wild for NHL.com and built a strong presence in hockey media. Her work also appeared in The Athletic, USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, and Massachusetts Hockey. Alongside her writing, the late media personality co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Pierce, along with other family members.
Jessi Pierce’s Husband Mike and the Family They Built
Jessi shared her life with her husband, Mike, for many years. While the timeline of how they met or when they married has not been publicly detailed, her social media often gave small glimpses into their home life, where moments with Mike and their children came through naturally.
Together, they raised three kids — Hudson, Cayden, and Avery — and built a close-knit household. Their family also included a dog, which was also lost in the same fire.
After the tragedy, messages began pouring in from across the hockey world and beyond, many of them speaking to the unimaginable loss Mike is now left to carry.
Colorado Avalanche reporter Bailey Curtis wrote on X, “My heart goes out to Jessi’s husband, Mike, her family, friends, the Wild media/organization, and anyone who knew her and her kids.”
People online also shared their thoughts, trying to put into words what Mike might be going through. One Reddit user wrote, “I can’t imagine the pain her husband must be going through. To go from an amazing family and a home full of love, to losing everything, must be the worst fate a husband and father can ever experience.”
Who Were Jessi Pierce’s Parents?
Pierce was raised by her parents in the Mahtomedi area and spent most of her early years there. She later attended Mahtomedi High School and graduated with the Class of 2006.
Details about her parents have remained largely private, as Jessi kept that part of her life away from public attention.
