The 61st Battalion of the Canadian Army was raised and trained in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It put together a senior hockey team. The team won the A Division of the Winnipeg Patriotic League in 1915-16. Since the defending Allan Cup champions Winnipeg Monarchs were in that division, the 61st won the Allan Cup. They then succesfully defended it. They were sent overseas before the next season so the 61st had no chance of defending the cup.