NHL reporter Jessi Pierce shared photos of kids hours before deadly house fire
· Toronto Sun
Jessi Pierce, the NHL reporter who died in a house fire with her three children , shared photos from a fun family outing the day before the tragedy.
Pierce, 37, posted photos on X of her three children — Hudson, Cayden and Avery — lining up for ice cream, then enjoying the treats.
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“Bag(s) secured,” Pierce captioned Friday’s post, which also included a photo of one of her sons eating a sandwich.
Pierce, her two sons and daughter, and their dog died in an overnight house fire in Minnesota hours later.
The family is survived by Pierce’s husband and the kids’ dad, Mike Hinrichs, who reportedly was away for work at the time of the fire, according to the Daily Mail.
Neighbours saw roof on fire
Firefighters responded to a residential structure fire in White Bear Lake after a fire tore through their home early Saturday.
Neighbours called 911 around 5:30 a.m. after seeing the home’s roof on fire, and said people were likely inside, White Bear Lake Fire Department said in a news release.
“Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved structural fire and immediately began fire suppression efforts,” it said, and located Pierce, the kids and the dog, who were all confirmed to be dead.
“Our hearts ache for all those involved in this tragedy,” Fire Chief Greg Peterson said. “We ask for the opportunity to allow our community to come together and support one another during this difficult time.”
The fire is being investigated by the local fire marshal’s office.
bag(s) secured pic.twitter.com/vUSY0x9p9r
— Jessi Pierce (@jessi_pierce) March 20, 2026
GoFundMe launched for Jessi’s husband
A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched for her husband Hinrichs to “cover funeral expenses and provide financial support” as he deals with the grief of losing his family.
“Jessi had a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart. She was devoted to her family, going above and beyond to create many moments of joy and everlasting memories,” the donation page read.
“The children, each with their own unique personalities, shared Jessi’s zest for life and love for adventure. They leave behind Mike, husband to Jessi and loving father of their children, who is now experiencing an unimaginably difficult time.”
Hockey community in mourning
The NHL and the Minnesota Wild were among the first to pay tribute to Pierce, who was a contributor to NHL.com for the past 10 seasons, as well as a co-host of the Bardown Beauties podcast, where she covered the Wild.
“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 on X . “Jessi loved our game and was a valued member of the NHL.com team for a decade. We will miss her terribly.”
Pierce was also honoured by her podcast co-host Kirsten Krull, who wrote an emotional statement on X about the woman she called her “big sister” with an “unmatched work ethic and a huge heart.”
Michael Russo, a reporter for The Athletic, paid tribute to Pierce on social media while sending condolences to her husband.
“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 (Friday), she provided them with another incredibly fun and loving day,” he wrote on X .
“My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children and Jessi’s family, friends and colleagues for this unimaginable loss,” Russo continued. “This hockey community lost a wonderful, energetic and one of a kind voice and story teller and Grade A person.
He added: “Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.”