Minnesota hockey reporter Jessi Pierce and her 3 children found dead in White Bear Lake house fire

Fans cheer on the Minnesota Wild during a game against the Nashville Predators at Grand Casino Arena on Nov. 4, 2025, in St. Paul. Longtime Wild reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children died in a house fire early Saturday, friends and colleagues said.
David Berding | Getty Images file

Longtime Minnesota hockey reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children were found dead following a house fire early Saturday in White Bear Lake, friends and colleagues said Sunday.

Pierce’s hockey coverage included co-hosting the “Bardown Beauties” podcast, and writing about the Minnesota Wild as the correspondent for NHL.com for the past decade.

“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.”

“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,” Bill Price, vice president and editor-in-chief of NHL.com, said in a statement.

Kirsten Krull, Pierce’s podcast co-host posted on social media that Pierce — who also went by Jessi Hinrichs — “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.”

Friends and colleagues on social media identified Pierce’s children as Hudson, Cayden and Avery, ages 8, 6 and 4. Authorities have not officially announced the names of the people who died in the fire.

Pierce’s husband, Mike Hinrichs, was out of town on a work trip at the time of the fire, The Athletic reported. A GoFundMe site set up to help cover funeral expenses and provide financial support had raised more than $130,000 by Monday afternoon.

According to the White Bear Lake Fire Department, fire crews were called to the home on Richard Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

“Neighbors that made the 911 call reported seeing fire coming through the roof of the house and stated there were likely people inside of the house,” the fire department reported. “Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved structure fire and immediately began fire suppression efforts. Crews were then able to locate an adult, three children and a dog inside of the house. Unfortunately, all were deceased.”

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

“Our hearts ache for 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,” the fire department said in a news release.

A friend of the family started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.

The Minnesota Frost posted a statement that team is “heartbroken” by the loss of Pierce and her children, writing that Pierce “has been with the Frost since day one as a supporter, a voice and — most importantly — a friend.”

“The joy she brought to the rink and our organization will forever be remembered,” the team said.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin made a point to visit the media workroom at the team’s practice rink on Monday to check on Pierce’s colleagues and friends.

“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, if you’re a coach — we are all in this sports world, this hockey world, and we’re all in it together,” Guerin said, adding: “She was a ray of sunshine.”