The Minnesota Wild and its local beat reporters have launched a new annual media award. The Jessi Pierce Media Beauty Award honors the late hockey reporter and her three children.
What We Know: Pierce passed away in March of this year along with her three children and a family pet in a house fire in suburban Minnesota. The award also honors the memory of Pierce and her three children, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery. Local media members will vote on the honor each year. The winner will be the Wild player who best shows professionalism, accessibility, and respect toward reporters.
What They Said: Bill Guerin, Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager: “This award represents something much bigger than hockey. It honors the memory of Jessi and her children, and the positive impact she had on everyone she worked with. The warmth, kindness, and generosity she brought to the rink left a lasting impression on our hockey community. We are honored to carry her legacy forward by recognizing those who embody that same spirit.”
Statement On Behalf Of Minnesota Wild Beat Reporters: “Jessi always showed up to the rink eager and excited. Engaging everyone with her infectious smile and passion for the sport. She had a knack for asking questions and cultivating stories because she put players and coaches at ease with her curiosity and genuine interest. We feel her absence daily. This award will be a reminder of the rapport she had that is essential to covering the Wild and keeping the State of Hockey informed. Which she loved doing.”
What Remains Unclear: The team has not announced when it will name the first recipient after the season.
What It Means: Ultimately, the award spotlights the working relationship between players and the press. In addition, Pierce built that rapport through her coverage of the Wild, the Minnesota Frost, and hockey at all levels. As a result, her name will now live on through players who treat the media with the same respect she showed them. Moreover, for the state of hockey, that legacy carries real weight.
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