Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin joins hockey community in mourning reporter Jessi Pierce and her three children after house fire

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin expressed grief over the deaths of Jessi Pierce, a beat reporter for the team on NHL.com, and her three young children in a house fire in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, early Saturday morning. The White Bear Lake Fire Department responded to the blaze at a single-family home, where bystanders reported flames visible through the roof. The family's dog also perished in the fire.[1][2]

Guerin, who has served as Wild GM since December 16, 2019,[3] spoke to reporters and described Pierce as a "ray of sunshine." He said he was "devastated" for her family and friends, adding, "Words just can’t express how devastated we all are," and emphasized the unity of the hockey community across media, players, management and coaches.[1]

Pierce had covered the Wild for NHL.com over 10 seasons.[4] Her work also appeared in outlets including The Athletic, B1G Ice Hockey blog, Minnesota Hockey Journal and Massachusetts Hockey.[1]

Wild forward Marcus Foligno said the team was "devastated" and would "miss her around the rink for sure." Captain Jared Spurgeon recalled Pierce's positive energy and her practice of bringing her children, including holding her son during dressing room interviews.[1]

The Minnesota Wild issued a statement: "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. 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."[5]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital, "NHL writer, 3 children die in Minnesota house fire, officials say", February 2026 (approximate, based on draft context), https://www.foxnews.com/sports
2. FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, "White Bear Lake house fire", February 2026 (approximate), https://www.fox9.com/news
3. NHL.com, "Bill Guerin named general manager of Minnesota Wild", December 16, 2019, https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/bill-guerin-named-general-manager-of-minnesota-wild-305563006
4. NHL.com, "Jessi Pierce author page", accessed February 2026, https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/author/jessi-pierce
5. Minnesota Wild (via NHL.com), "Wild statement on the passing of Jessi Pierce", February 2026 (approximate), https://www.nhl.com/wild/