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Photo / KJ Branding KJ Branding is helping high school hockey programs celebrate their rich histories In Minnesota, high school hockey is king. For proof, look no further than the State Tournament, which has become a Super Bowl-like event, with more than 120,000 fans annually attending games every spring. Working behind the scenes, custom graphics company KJ Branding is helping high school programs across the State of Hockey celebrate their histories and build on tradition. Karl Jaeger, co-owner of the Buffalo, Minn.-based company, estimates they have completed more than 50 projects for high school programs across Minnesota over the years. They produce everything from colorful, branded locker room signs to backlit logos and displays in arena con- courses, using materials such as brushed aluminum, acrylic and adhesive vinyl. According to Jaeger, typical projects take a few months to complete, from start to finish, depending on the elements involved. "I think the high schools want to cele- brate their programs and make the kids feel like they're a part of something big- ger," said Jaeger. "A lot of high schools see what we have done for D -I programs and other schools around the state and say, 'hey, why can't we do that too?' We have a good sense for what can work in a space, and take their ideas, expand on them and come up with some cool solu- tions for them." Jaeger said the company has a few high school projects currently in progress for St. Thomas Academy, Lakeville South and Breck, that he expects to be completed within the next two months. Past work includes: For Andover – Arena lettering, lighted logos, graphics and displays in the arena tunnels leading to the rink; signage above Andover's trophy case; and an "Andover Olympian" display featuring Maddie Rooney and Wyatt Kaiser. For Centennial – Lighted logos on the wall; champions and state tournament appearance displays; a display high- lighting youth hockey champions and various arena door wraps. For Eden Prairie – Locker room white board graphics; various mounted displays featuring cham- pionship teams, Eden Prairie Hall of Famers, players that skated post- high school and Mr. and Ms. Hockey honorees. For Hill-Murray – Display walls fea- turing Pioneers in the Olympics, NHL and D -I; locker room ceiling logo; an award wall; mounted championship banners in the locker room and door wraps. KJ Branding has worked for many others programs, including Armstrong- C o o p e r, B l a i n e , B u f f a l o, C r et i n - Derham Hall, East Ridge, Elk River, Greenway, Maple Grove, Proctor- Hermantown, Rosemount and South St. Paul. One of KJ Branding 's more elaborate projects was completed for Warroad, high- lighting the Warriors that had gone on to play D -I, NHL and in the Olympics, in addition to other various mounted graph- ics and logos. "That was a fun one, given it's such a strong program with such a strong his- tory," said Jaeger. "We traveled up there to get a lay of the land and make sure measure- ments were correct, and then produced all the materials in our shop. Then we traveled back to install. It's great to see people lay eyes on a project for the first time and get their reaction. It's something we take pride in, to see the pay- off from the fans, alum- ni and people around the community." "Being a Minnesota company and cele- brating the many hockey teams in the state is pretty special," Jaeger added. "Every hockey fan from here knows the rich tradition of high school hockey that we have, with young players wanting to play for their high school team, make the State Tournament and play in front of thousands of people. It's a truly unique experience." Goals & Assists Goals & Assists Building on Tradtion MADE IN MINNESOTA | By Steve Mann I think the high schools want to celebrate their programs and make the kids feel like they're a part of something bigger." M H J ON L I N E . C O M | N O V / D E C 2 0 2 4 08