About Us
The History of Pro Guard
Proguard evolved from Midwest Sports Marketing Group which was founded in 1977 by Jerry Webb. Jerry also started Proguard Sports in 1992 when he saw the need for an accessory company to serve the various needs of hockey retailers throughout North America. As hockey has continued to expand, especially to the south and west, so too has Proguard's value in serving the marketplace.
Since it's inception, Proguard has had as its mission, to provide great accessory products, with the industry's best packaging, priced right and with a customer service approach second to none! Proguard has been very successful in this pursuit. Proguard continues to make product improvements and is always looking for creative new products to bring to the market. Proguard also maintains a large inventory which allows retailers to access the products they want, when they need them.
Proguard has alliances with 18 independent reps throughout the United States and works with other partners to distribute products internationally. Founder, Jerry Webb, retired in 2004 and sold in his interests to Kevin Hartzell and Scott Jahnke.
Kevin, a native of St. Paul, is a former hockey captain at the University of Minnesota and part of one NCAA National Championship team and another NCAA runner-up. Kevin was also a successful coach for the USHL's St. Paul Vulcans and now coaches team Northeast in successful Midwest Elite High School League.
Scott, also a native of St. Paul, still loves to play the game, has a finance background and three kids under 13 who play hockey and keep his mini-van's odometer moving. Scott has worked on the finance side for Hubbard Broadcasting and Thomson-West Group, two of the Twin Cities' largest and best corporations. His various skills and affinity for hockey bring a great deal of skill and balance to the Proguard organization.
Scott Kircher is Proguard's warehouse manager. Besides all the usual job functions a warehouse manager executes, one of Scott's most valuable areas of expertise, and a real customer service advantage, is his knowledge of the freight/shipping industry. Scott works very hard to find the most efficient way (and new ways) to get product to our customers.
Scott's diligence is recognized as another advantage in doing business with Proguard (he also makes the best beef jerky you'll ever eat).
Proguard's warehouse crew is a team of employees who have amassed 60+ years of warehouse experience with many capable hands including Paul Andert, Romain Hamernick, Glenn Gulstrand, (Scott) and young apprentices, Brandon Hartzell.
