The Calgary Stampeders are pleased to announce Charlie Power is the team’s nominee for the 2023 Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award. The honour is given annually to the Canadian player who best demonstrates the attributes of the country’s veterans, such as strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities.

The award, which has been presented annually since 2010, was created in memory of Jake Gaudaur – the CFL’s longest-standing Commissioner and a distinguished World War II veteran.

In his ninth season with the Red and White, Power remains a force on the club by being one of the team’s best special-teams players. Heading into the final game of the 2023 regular-season, the Okotoks product has 14 special-teams tackles as well as a fumble recovery that played an important role in the Stamps’ crucial Week 19 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

During the current season, Power moved into the franchise’s top five in career special-teams tackles.

Power’s veteran leadership and his status as a special-teams captain has been valuable in a season when injuries led to constant roster shuffling and the use of players with limited experience on special teams. He has been counted on by special-teams coordinator Mark Kilam to provide guidance to the newcomers.

Power overcame an Achilles injury that cost him the entire 2021 season and delayed the start of his 2022 campaign to resume his role as one of the leaders on the team.

In addition to his on-field contributions, Power has a long tradition of giving back to the community.

His history of community involvement as a member of the Stamps the team’s player spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services and work as an ambassador for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters and the Leading Change program against gender-based violence. He also works extensively with youth, attending minor football practices and speaking to sick and injured children about his own experiences recovering from injury.

Power seeks out opportunities to support local charities including Kids Up Front, Brown Bags for Kids, Calgary Food Bank and Parachutes for Pets.

This year’s Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award recipient – chosen from a field of nine nominees, one from each CFL club – will be honoured during the CFL awards ceremony in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Nov. 16.