The Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Thursday that Montreal Alouettes linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku was named the recipient of this year’s Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award. He becomes the 16th player to be recognized since its inception in 2010.
The Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award recognizes a Canadian CFL player who best demonstrates the attributes of Canada’s Veterans – strength, perseverance, courage, comradeship and contribution to Canadian communities. The award was named after Jake Gaudaur – a distinguished Veteran of the Second World War and the longest-serving Commissioner in CFL history. He embodied these qualities through his service to the country and the Canadian football community.
“The leadership and character that Geoffrey displays in the locker room speak to who he is as a teammate and as a person,” said CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston. “More importantly, the care and compassion he displays in the community strengthen the bond between the team and the province of Quebec. He is a tremendous ambassador for our league, our sport and for all Canadians.”
Geoffrey Cantin-Arku is six foot four and weighs 240 pounds. The 28-year-old from Lévis, Quebec, Canada, re-signed with the Alouettes on December 11, 2025. This season, Cantin-Arku made 78 tackles, five tackles on special teams, two tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one interception in 15 games.
The Montreal Alouettes drafted Cantin-Arku in the first round (9th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. Cantin-Arku attended the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp in 2024. In 2024, Cantin-Arku made 33 tackles, five tackles on special teams, five sacks, and one interception in 18 games. In 2025, he made 38 tackles, six tackles on special teams, four sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 18 games.
Collegiately, Cantin-Arku played three seasons at Syracuse (2019-21) with 107 tackles (79 solos, 28 assists), 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 30 games for the Orange.
Then, Cantin-Arku transferred to Memphis (2022-23) with 144 tackles (76 solos, 68 assists), seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception for 17 yards, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 25 games for the Tigers.
In 2023, Cantin-Arku made 79 tackles (41 solos, 38 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception for 17 yards, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 13 games. He was named an All-AAC Honorable Mention in 2023.
