The Winnipeg Monarchs protested when the Winnipeg 61st Battalion were chosen to defend the Allan Cup as Winnipeg Patriotic Hockey League champions, since the Monarchs considered the patriotic games to be exhibitions.[2][3] The Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association subsequently upheld Claude C. Robinson's decision that the 61st Battalion defend the Allan Cup, but that the Monarchs would be given the opportunity to defend the cup only if the soldiers had to leave Winnipeg due to military service.[4] The Winnipeg 61st Battalion won the Allan Cup by defeating challenges from Fort William, Ontario and the Regina Victorias.[5]
Due to the World War I, the team did not compete in the following season. With the challenge system discarded in favour of a playoff between eastern and western teams, Winnipeg was the last to win the Cup this way. The 1916 Winnipeg 61st Battalion were inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in the team category.[1]
