GM and players heartbroken over the tragic loss of reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children in a fire

Tribute to Jesse Pierce Following Tragic Fire

On Monday, Wild general manager Bill Guerin took time to honor the late hockey writer Jesse Pierce, who tragically lost her life in a house fire on Saturday. The fire also claimed the lives of her three young children.

Guerin expressed deep sorrow during an interview, calling Pierce a “ray of sunshine” and affirming the shared grief felt across the hockey community. “Words can’t quite capture how heartbroken we all are,” he remarked. He emphasized that in the world of sports—whether you’re media, players, or coaches—everyone is unified in this tragic moment.

“Jesse was always joyful and fun to be around. She had a wonderful presence,” Guerin shared. The sense of community became clear, with him stating, “It doesn’t matter what role you hold; we’re all here to support each other in this tough time.”

Pierce’s sudden passing impacted many in the hockey world, especially in Minnesota, where she spent over a decade covering the Wild. Social media tributes poured in, with Wild forward Marcus Foligno noting that the team feels “devastated,” and they will certainly miss her presence at the rink.

Aside from covering the team, Pierce’s writing appeared in several prominent publications like USA Hockey and The Athletic. She often took her children to see her at work, a testament to her dedication to both her career and motherhood. Michael Russo from The Athletic recalled how Pierce would bring her son, Hudson, to practices, sharing moments of connection with players like Mikael Granlund.

Wild captain Jared Spurgeon reflected on Pierce’s vibrant spirit. “You could feel the energy she brought, and she always wore a smile,” he said. He reminisced about a time when she took her kids back stage for an interview, underlining how hard this news is to process.

Pierce’s three children—Hudson, 8, Kayden, 6, and Avery, 4—lost their lives in the fire at their home in White Bear Lake. Reports indicate that her husband, Mike Hinrichs, was away on business when the tragedy occurred. Firefighters responded to a 911 call around 5:26 a.m. concerning flames engulfing the roof of their residence, but by the time they arrived, the house was fully ablaze.