A chainsaw carver from Grunthal known for turning tree trunks into incredible works of art is now drawing attention for his latest creation: a nine-foot cedar polar bear commissioned by the Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball team.

Cornie Krahn, who carves under the name Kornelius the Karver, said this particular project took about a year and a half to complete. While he’s done everything from bears in hollow logs to vintage trucks, this sculpture stands out—not just for its size, but for its meaning.

“It’s kind of a memorial piece too,” said Krahn. This mascot is wearing a jersey with #33 on the back, a tribute to Chad Posthumus, the team's captain who passed away on November 20th, 2024.

Built from about 30 pieces of reclaimed cedar hydro poles, the massive polar bear had to be constructed f

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