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Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin joined those in the hockey community mourning the loss of beloved hockey writer Jessi Pierce and her three young children in a tragic house fire on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters, Guerin called Pierce, a Wild reporter for NHL.com, a “ray of sunshine” and couldn’t hold back how “devastated” he was for her family and friends.
“Words just can’t express how devastated we all are,” Guerin said. “But, as I mentioned to some of you the other night, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the media, if you’re a player, if you’re in management, a coach, we’re all in the sports world and the hockey world, and we’re all in this together.
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Jessi Pierce, left, covered the Minnesota Wild. (Minnesota Wild/AP)
Guerin talked about what it was like interacting with Pierce on the job.
“Jessi was always happy, always in a good mood, always a pleasure to deal with for me and we will miss her,” he explained. “The great thing about our community is that it doesn’t matter what part of it you’re in – media, player, coach, manager – we’re all in this together and we support each other.
“I just want you guys to know that we are here for you and anything we can do for you to help through the tough times we are here for you.”
NHL SCRIPTS 3 CHILDREN DIE IN MINNESOTA HOUSE FIRE, OFFICIALS SAY
Pierce covered the Wild for 10 seasons with NHL.com, influencing not only Guerin and the front office, but players as well. Wild forward Marcus Foligno told reporters the entire team was “devastated” to hear the news about Pierce and said they will definitely “miss her around the rink.”
Pierce was known to bring his kids to work, as Wild captain Jared Spurgeon pointed out.
“If you’ve ever met her, you just feel the energy around her,” he said. “Every time she was in here she had a smile on her face, whether it was the game at hand or just youth sports.
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is introduced prior to the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Grand Casino Arena on February 2, 2026 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI)
“I remember when she took the kids into the dressing room and did an interview [her son]. It’s very hard news to take.”
Pierce also had his work featured in The Athletic, B1G Ice Hockey blog, Minnesota Hockey Journal and Massachusetts Hockey.
The incident involving Pierce and her children happened in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, fire officials said. The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a single-family home early Saturday morning.
Bystanders reported seeing flames coming through the roof, according to FOX 9. Firefighters also found the family’s dog, which also died in the fire.
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin speaks to the media about trading Quinn Hughes prior to the game against the Ottawa Senators at Grand Casino Arena on December 13, 2025 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI)
“The Minnesota Wild organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jessi Pierce and her children,” the Wild said in a statement. “Jessi was a kind, compassionate person who cared deeply for her family and those around her. She served as a dedicated ambassador for the game of hockey while covering the Wild and the NHL.
“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.”
