Jessi Pierce, the NHL.com correspondent who spent 10 seasons covering the Minnesota Wild, died in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in the early hours of Saturday, March 21, 2026. She was 37. Her three children — Hudson, 8, Cayden, 6, and Avery, 4 — died alongside her. The family dog also died in the fire.
Her husband, Mike Hinrichs, was out of state on a work trip at the time of the fire. He was about to board a flight home when officers contacted him to confirm whether his family was inside the house.
The death of Jessi Pierce has left the NHL community in shock, especially fans of the Minnesota Wild, whom she covered for more than a decade.
The NHL confirmed the deaths on March 22. "The entire National Hockey League family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family," the league 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."
How Jessi Pierce Died: What Happened the Night of the House Fire
The fire broke out at Pierce's single-family home on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026. Neighbors called 911 after seeing flames shooting through the roof. Officers responding to the scene could see flames rising dozens of feet into the air from adjacent streets before they even reached the house.
The White Bear Lake Fire Department arrived to find a fully involved structure fire. Fire Chief Greg Peterson confirmed that crews located one adult, three children, and a dog inside the home — all deceased. Pierce's professional name differed from her married surname, Hinrichs, which is how investigators initially confirmed her identity.
The department released a statement saying, "It is a very difficult and sad day for our community. Our hearts ache for all those involved in this tragedy."
Pierce, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery were found in the main living area at the front of the home, near the entryway, according to a search warrant affidavit released March 28.
Jessi Pierce Fire Investigation: What Authorities Have Confirmed
The White Bear Lake Fire Department released its preliminary findings on March 23, 2026. Investigators stated they had found no evidence that the fire was set intentionally, describing it as not believed to be arson.
A search warrant affidavit released March 28 revealed that investigators are examining candles, extension cords, and household appliances as potential causes. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting with the investigation. The official cause of death for Pierce and her children had not been released as of publication.
A public visitation for Jessi Pierce and her three children is scheduled for March 29, 2026, at Mueller Memorial in White Bear Lake.
Who Was Jessi Pierce?
Jessi Pierce was born in Minnesota and graduated from Iowa State University. She built her career covering hockey from the inside out — starting with college and amateur hockey before landing at NHL.com, where she worked for 10 consecutive seasons.
She was a correspondent for the Minnesota Wild — Minnesota's NHL franchise, based in St. Paul — and a recognized presence in the press box at Grand Casino Arena, where she was described by NHL.com as "often cloaked in a blanket to combat the cold." She attended Wild practices regularly, and those who worked alongside her noted that she frequently brought one of her children along, balancing the demands of covering a professional sports team with raising a young family.
Beyond her work for NHL.com, Pierce co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast about the Wild alongside Kirsten Krull. She also wrote for USA Hockey, the Minnesota Hockey Journal, Massachusetts Hockey, and The Athletic. She contributed to the B1G Ice Hockey blog, covering Big Ten hockey, and worked as a personality for Twin Cities sports radio station Skor North.
Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin described Pierce as "a ray of sunshine." The Wild issued a formal statement calling her "a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her" and "a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey."
Her Children: Hudson, Cayden, and Avery
Hudson was 8 years old. Cayden was 6. Avery was 4.
A GoFundMe page, verified by NBC News, was launched to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support for Pierce's husband and remaining family. The page described Pierce as "devoted to her family, going above and beyond to create many moments of joy and everlasting memories." Of her children, the page said they "shared Jessi's zest for life and love for adventure."
Pierce's Bardown Beauties co-host Kirsten Krull wrote on Instagram: "Hudson, Cayden, and Avery were the best kids, and I'm so grateful she let me be part of their lives." Krull also described Pierce as being "like another big sister." In a separate post on X, Krull wrote that continuing on with daily life without her felt "cruel."
Tributes From the Hockey World
The response from the NHL community was immediate and widespread.
The NHL's official public relations account posted the league's statement on X on March 22. Multiple teams responded to the post with condolences. Bill Price, vice president and editor-in-chief of NHL.com, said in a statement: "Jessi's love of her family and hockey was evident in the energy and passion she brought to her work for us. She was an absolute joy to talk to and work with. She will be deeply missed."
Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin addressed reporters directly: "Words just can't express how devastated we all are. It doesn't matter if you're in the media, if you're a player, if you're in management, a coach — we are all in the sports world, and the hockey world, and we're all in this together."
Michael Russo, a reporter for The Athletic who covered the Wild alongside Pierce for years, wrote on X: "A lot of tears were shed at the arena. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi every day, laughing with her every day. The press box and press room won't be the same without her."
Russo also addressed Pierce's husband directly in a separate post: "My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children. Please keep Jessi and her beautiful kids in your thoughts and prayers."
A Community in Grief
Pierce's death hit the Minnesota hockey community during an active part of the Wild's 2025–26 season. The night following the fire, the Wild played at home against the Dallas Stars. Michael Russo noted that significant grief was visible throughout the arena — among media, players, and staff alike.
The game went on. It always does. But the press box and the press room that Pierce had occupied for a decade felt different. Several journalists and Wild employees noted her absence publicly in the days that followed.
2026 has seen an unusual number of sudden and tragic losses in sports and entertainment, including [opera star Rainelle Krause], who died at 37 after surgery complications, and [Rex Culpepper], the young Syracuse quarterback who passed away in March. Pierce's death, at the same age as Krause — 37 — and involving her children, struck a particular nerve across multiple communities at once.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessi Pierce (married name: Jessi Hinrichs) |
| Age at Death | 37 |
| Date of Death | March 21, 2026 |
| Location | White Bear Lake, Minnesota |
| Cause | House fire (under investigation, not believed intentional) |
| Children | Hudson (8), Cayden (6), Avery (4) |
| Husband | Mike Hinrichs (was out of state at the time of the fire) |
| Employer | NHL.com (10 seasons, Minnesota Wild correspondent) |
| Podcast | Bardown Beauties (co-host with Kirsten Krull) |
| Education | Iowa State University graduate |
| Visitation | March 29, 2026 — Mueller Memorial, White Bear Lake |
Jessi Pierce Cause of Death and Investigation Update
Jessi Pierce died in a house fire at her home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026. According to statements released by the White Bear Lake Fire Department, investigators have not found any evidence that the fire was intentionally set. The official cause of death for Pierce and her three children has not yet been publicly released. Authorities are continuing to examine possible causes, including household appliances, candles, and electrical sources. More updates are expected once the investigation is completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Jessi Pierce die?
Jessi Pierce died in a house fire at her home on the 2100 block of Richard Avenue in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026. Her three children — Hudson, 8, Cayden, 6, and Avery, 4 — and the family dog also died in the fire.
Q: Was the Jessi Pierce fire ruled arson?
No. The White Bear Lake Fire Department released preliminary findings on March 23, 2026, stating that investigators had found no evidence that the fire was intentionally set. The investigation remains ongoing as of publication, with investigators examining candles, extension cords, and household appliances as potential causes.
Q: Where was Jessi Pierce's husband when the fire happened?
Jessi Pierce's husband, Mike Hinrichs, was out of state on a work trip the night of the fire. He was about to board a flight home when officers contacted him. He was not present at the home when the fire broke out.
Q: How old were Jessi Pierce's children?
Jessi Pierce's three children were Hudson, age 8; Cayden, age 6; and Avery, age 4, at the time of the fire on March 21, 2026.
Q: How long did Jessi Pierce cover the Minnesota Wild?
Jessi Pierce covered the Minnesota Wild as an NHL.com correspondent for 10 seasons. She also co-hosted the Bardown Beauties podcast about the Wild and contributed to USA Hockey, The Athletic, and Twin Cities radio station Skor North.
Q: Is there a GoFundMe for Jessi Pierce's family?
Yes. A GoFundMe page verified by NBC News was launched to cover funeral expenses and support Pierce's husband and remaining family. The page can be found by searching "Jessi Pierce GoFundMe" on the GoFundMe website.
Also read: [Rex Culpepper: From Syracuse Quarterback to Cancer Survivor and Tragic Hero]