National Hockey League reporter Jesse Pierce died Saturday in a White Bear Lake home fire. The 37-year-old’s three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, and the family dog also died with her. The day before her death, the Minnesota Wild insider shared a photo of herself enjoying ice cream and sandwiches with her children. Piers simply captioned the post: “Bag secured,” which became her last message online.
Tragedy happened the next morning
Less than 24 hours later, Pierce and her three children died in a devastating house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. According to the White Bear Lake Fire Department, at about 5:25 a.m. local time on March 21, crews responded to a fire at a single-family home on Richard Avenue. When firefighters arrived, they encountered a fully engulfed building.
Read more: ‘Grateful for my husband…’: Jesse Pierce’s post for family after death in White Bear Lake resurfaces
Inside they found an adult, three children and a dog. All were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials respond to devastating loss
Fire Chief Greg Peterson expressed the community’s grief in a statement following the incident.
“Our hearts break out for everyone involved in this tragedy,” he said. “We ask for the opportunity for our community to come together and support each other during this difficult time.”
NHL community mourns
Shortly after the fire, the NHL confirmed Pierce’s death, noting her decade-long contribution to NHL.com and her work on the Bardown Beauties podcast.
“The entire NHL family sends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Pierce family on the passing of Jesse Pierce and her three children,” the NHL said in a statement. “Jesse loved our game and has been a valued member of the NHL.com team for ten years. She will be greatly missed.”
Jesse Pierce’s Family Life
In tribute to Pierce, Michael Russo of The Athletic penned a sweet message.
He wrote on
He also mentioned her husband, Mike.
He added, “Life can be very unfair sometimes and it is impossible for us to comprehend this tragedy. Many tears were shed in the arena yesterday. We, the wildlife media and Inside Wildlife, will miss seeing Jessie and laughing with her every day. The press box and press room will not be the same without her.”
Jessie Pierce herself often shares details about her family life. “Today I’m grateful for a husband who drove to Wisconsin where the liquor stores are open because we forgot earlier this week 🤦🏼♀️Happy Thanksgiving ladies and gentlemen!” she tweeted on Thanksgiving 2022.
“Overheard on a conference call with my husband: ‘Are you watching the game?’ “No, my wife is just watching Miracle for the millionth time,” she wrote on the X (formerly Twitter) platform last year.
“At the 11th hour, my husband asked me what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day tomorrow. Honestly, all I wanted to do was lie in bed, lock the door, play Candy Crush, and binge-watch some documentaries. Maybe take a nap if I wanted. That would be it, right?” the NHL reporter tweeted in 2021.
She has shared dozens of photos on her Instagram account.
Career and legacy
Pierce, 37, has built a respected career in lacrosse after graduating from Iowa State University. She has contributed to multiple media outlets, including NHL.com, USA Hockey, The Athletic and Minnesota Hockey Journal, and is widely regarded as a passionate spokesperson for the game.
