Minnesota Hockey Journal

If the team at KJ Branding has proven anything, it's that you don't need to lace up the skates to make a big impact on the hockey world. KJ Branding is a leader in creating custom wall murals, sports prints, colorful back-lit logo plaques and more for dozens of col- lege and high school hockey programs, as well as branding projects for a variety of other orga- nizations—both in and out of the sports world. While their craftsmanship is on display in lobbies, concourses and locker rooms across the country, it's the work the Buffalo, Minnesota- based custom sign and display shop has done for local youth and high school associations in the State of Hockey that has perhaps delivered the most meaningful experiences. KJ Branding co-owner Karl Jaeger estimates that his company works with between 30-40 high schools and 10-15 associations from all over Minnesota, spanning the scope of small schools to big city teams. "Even though it's our profession, it's a nice bonus to be able to help out a Minnesota hockey community, and you get a sense that it's really appreciated," said Jaeger. "We get excellent feedback about the displays that bring the history of teams and community members that played 10-15 years ago or more to life. It's fun for people to look back and say 'wow, I didn't realize we had such a history here' or to see old photos of their current coaches in their playing days. It helps tie the generations together." One of the more memorable and special projects the KJ Branding team completed was for the hockey-crazed community of Warroad, where tradition runs deep in a small town that has produced success at every level. "They saw what we had done elsewhere and said 'we have a bunch of blank walls and want you to be a part of celebrating our history,'" said Jaeger. "So, we started the process of brainstorming ideas together, talking about projects we worked on before that may be relevant and creating a design. Once their team provided the historical photos and information, we began the install. It was a fun project to work on." The Warroad project included a variety of dis- plays featuring local Division I college players, NHL players, international players, Olympians and more. In addition to inspiring younger generations, the hope is that when alumni would come home they'd feel a sense of pride. "We're pretty lucky to do what we do," said Jaeger. "It's a lot of work, but the fun is seeing the finished product and hearing the reactions to it. Being a Minnesota company working with Minnesota hockey programs, we feel like a big part of a lot of teams and associations. It's pretty cool." KJ Branding creates community connections, one display at a time The Tie That Binds MADE IN MINNESOTA | By Steve Mann M H J ON L I N E . C O M | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 08 Goals & Assists We're pretty lucky to do what we do." Warroad's proud hockey history shines brightly for generations old and new.

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