Iowa State Alum & Children Die in Des Moines House Fire | We Are Iowa

Jessi Pierce, a Minnesota Wild reporter for NHL.com, and her three children died in a house fire Saturday morning in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, the National Hockey League confirmed Sunday.

Pierce, 37, had covered the Wild for the past decade. The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to the blaze after neighbors reported flames coming through the roof. Firefighters found an adult, three children, and a dog deceased inside the home, though the department did not initially release the victims’ names.

“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.”

Bill Price, VP and Editor-in-Chief of NHL.com, described the team as “devastated and heartbroken.” He added, “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.”

Pierce’s connection to hockey extended beyond her professional work. She was a lifelong Minnesotan and a graduate of Iowa State University, where she contributed to the student paper and generated media for the school’s club hockey team. Former colleagues at Iowa State remembered her passionate involvement with the program and her willingness to move above and beyond.

Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette, speaking after a game Sunday, offered his condolences, stating he had known Pierce for a long time.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the White Bear Lake Fire Department. Fire Chief Greg Peterson stated, “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 Minnesota Wild also released a statement mourning Pierce’s death, describing her as a “kind, compassionate person” and an “ambassador for the game of hockey.”