There are no words to express how heartbroken we all are.
Jessi Pierce (Hinrichs) was the most vibrant person - the life of the party, always with a smile on her face, always bringing a passion to every article and podcast and interview she did. Jessi simply loved covering the Wild and hockey throughout Minnesota and had a way of brightening everyone’s day with her upbeat, bubbly personality. I have literally NEVER met anybody that had a way of being EVERYBODY’s friend.
More than anything, she absolutely loved Hudson, Cayden and Avery and was the greatest mother who did everything she could to bring joy to her sweetest kids. Even at Friday’s practice in her beloved Iowa State sweatshirt, she was so excited to take them to the seasonal opening of Cup and Cone in WBL. Seeing those precious pics yesterday, she provided them with another incredibly fun and loving day.
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.
Life can be unbearably unfair sometimes, and it’s impossible to make sense of this tragedy.
Please keep Jessi and her beautiful kids in your thoughts and prayers. I wish Mike all the peace and support and happiness in the world.
A lot of tears were shed at the arena yesterday. We, in the Wild media and inside the Wild, will miss seeing Jessi everyday, laughing with her everyday. The press box and press room won’t be the same without her. It’ll be a lot quieter, a lot less funny. But her passion and joy for covering this hockey team and sport will remain.
Sorry for the length of this, but as Jessi knew better than most as my original Athletic “backup” and somebody who always gave me Minnesota Hockey Journal deadline extensions, as she used to joke, I’m incapable of writing tight.
Especially about her.
RIP Jessi, Hudson, Cayden and Avery. 🙏💔
The flow is elite. The lettuce is legendary. 🥗 And somewhere in here… a future gold medalist.
Watch the video. Donate if you can.
https://t.co/VUx8dLoicJ
@PulltabSports
Alright hockey family… it’s go time. 🇺🇸
Paralympics Opening Ceremonies kick off today and we’ve got THREE hometown athletes repping Team USA. Check the schedule, tune in, and follow our stories — we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and plenty of proud moments along the way.
Pete Carlson: the calm voice on the radio & our Super Rink go-to for every Festival. As he retires from the rink, we’re grateful he’s staying on as an HF advisor & volunteer.
(Year 1 we forgot pucks. Pete saved the day.)
All-In, always. 💙🏒
All you need is love… and maybe this hoodie.❤️🏒 Addie’s previewing our limited-edition Comfrt Affirmations of Love hoodie—spreading love and staying warm is kind of our thing. Keep an eye on our shop to snag yours—refresh coming soon! SHOP LINK 👇
https://t.co/9poVCenPPg
Sunday funday, HF-style. ☀️🎣
Lake Minnetonka, sunshine, big fish, Super Bowl prep, and a whole lot of laughs with Team HF and our MN Warrior families. These are the moments that make HF feel like family.
This might need to become an annual thing… who’s in? 💙
Welcome to the world, Tatum — a little ray of sunshine. Born into a Warrior and Sled hockey family with big hearts and even bigger love. Whether she’s skating someday or cheering from the boards, she’s already got a whole hockey family behind her. 🌞#TeamHF#HockeyChangesLives
Jack has been playing hockey since he was 5 — and when he found MN Special Hockey, he found his people. 🏒A positive, hard worker who loves the Festival, friends, and cheering everyone on. Headed to the Special Olympics Games this summer! Way to go Jack!
Hockey Changes Lives®. 💙
From MN rinks to the world stage. 🇺🇸 Liam & Landon grew up in this hockey family — countless hours on Minnesota ice — now World Champions, leaders, role models. Liam is heading to Italy with Team USA, and we’re cheering hard as Landon continues his push.
Hockey Changes Lives®.
So grateful for our Minnesota Gophers showing up for HF in a big way. 🏒💙
The next generation of elite athletes who genuinely care, show up, and elevate every space they enter. Their presence means everything to our athletes. We see you, Gophs. And we’re thankful.
Proud to support the growth of adaptive hockey in real time.
The St. Cloud Blizzard launched with 12 brand-new sled athletes, building a team, finding confidence, and heading to tournaments together.
This is why we do the work.
Hockey Changes Lives®. 🏒💙
Breakaway Academy — you’ve got some seriously special kids. 💙
HF board members Danny & Jay spent time with 5th graders talking courage, inclusion, and what happens when everyone has a place on the team. The future is bright. ☀️
#HockeyChangesLives
We did it! 🎉 Thanks to our incredible community, HF won the Scheels Giving Campaign and a $5,000 grant! We’re so grateful for every vote, every share & every person who shows up for adaptive hockey. Thank you @scheels — what a gift! 💙🏒 #HockeyChangesLives
Support hockey opportunities for ALL today! Donations through Nov 22 are 100% MATCHED and the swag gifts are 🔥 https://t.co/2NxgoJSh6w
#HockeyChangesLives#GTMD25#GivetotheMax
These athletes show us every day what strength looks like. Their family shows us what love looks like. And together, we build a community where everyone belongs — always.
Support the HF Mission. All donations through Nov 22 are 100% MATCHED! 💪https://t.co/2NxgoJSh6w
Every smile, every breakthrough, every moment of courage on the ice… that’s why we do what we do.
All donations through Nov 22 are 100% MATCHED! 💪https://t.co/2NxgoJSh6w
#HockeyChangesLives#GiveToTheMax#GTMD25
Hannah found confidence, friendship, and joy in Special Hockey — and her parents, Chris & Sheila, say “it means everything.” They’ve watched her grow, shine, and lift up younger players every week. This is why we show up — and why Give to the Max matters. https://t.co/2NxgoJRJgY