The Minnesota Wild have released a statement following news of the death of longtime NHL beat reporter Jessi Pierce. Pierce, 37, and her three children, Hudson, Cayden and Avery, were killed in a tragic house fire in White Bear Lake, a suburb northeast of the Twin Cities, early Saturday morning.
“The Minnesota Wild organization is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children. Jessi was a kind, compassionate person that cared deeply about her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey during her time covering the Wild and the NHL,” the team wrote. “Jessi and her children will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them.”
The NHL also shared condolences to Pierce’s family, noting her work as a contributor to the league’s in-house media, NHL.com.
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“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 wrote 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.”
Several members of the NHL media also posted in tribute to Pierce. Michael Russo, the Wild beat reporter at The Athletic, and Kirsten Krull, Pierce’s co-host on the podcast Bardown Beauties, both posted lengthy tributes Sunday morning, with other media members like ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski and The Athletic’s Zack Pierce chiming in.
“My heart breaks for Mike for the loss of his wife and children and Jessi’s family, friends and colleagues for this unimaginable loss. This hockey community lost a wonderful, energetic and one of a kind voice and story teller and Grade A person,” Russo wrote. “Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.”
Bill Price, the Editor-in-Chief of NHL.com, where Pierce was a contributor for the past 10 seasons, also spoke about Pierce’s presence in hockey media.
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“The entire NHL.com team is devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jessi and her children,” Price said. “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.”
