TORONTO - He's already a nominee as the CFL's top Canadian but Jamaal Westerman is in line for another league honour.

The Winnipeg defensive end is also the Blue Bombers' nominee for the Jake Gaudaur Veteran's award, given annually to the CFL player who best demonstrates the qualities exhibited by the country's veterans in times of war, peace and military conflict. Gaudaur was not only a distinguished veteran of the Second World War but was also the CFL's longest-standing commissioner.

Gaudaur was a former player with the Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats before serving as the Ticats president and GM from 1956 to '67. He became CFL commissioner in 1968 and held the post until 1984.

Gaudaur was inducted into both the Argos Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1985. He was enshrined into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame five years later. He died in 2007 at the age of 87 following a long battle with prostate cancer.

The other nominees for the award include offensive linemen Tyler Holmes (Toronto Argonauts), Jeff Perrett (Montreal Alouettes) and Peter Dyakowski (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), fullbacks Rob Cote (Calgary Stampeders), Jordan Veredone (Ottawa Redblacks) and Rolly Lumbala (B.C. Lions), receiver Rob Bagg (Saskatchewan Roughriders) and long-snapper Ryan King (Edmonton Eskimos).

Toronto linebacker James Yurichuk was the recipient of last year's award.

The six-foot-three 249-pound Westerman spent six seasons in the NFL before signing with Winnipeg prior to the 2015 season as a free agent. The native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who grew up in Brampton, Ont., had a banner first season with the Bombers, finishing second overall in sacks (17) with 61 tackles.

Westerman was named Winnipeg's nominee for the outstanding player and defensive player honours as well. He's up against Ottawa slotback Brad Sinopoli for the top Canadian honour.

The CFL is expected to make a formal announcement regarding the finalists on Thursday. The league will honour its top individual performers at its annual awards banquet Nov. 26 in Winnipeg.