 Holmes began his professional career playing for the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association ( NHA ) in 1912 – 13 . Holmes played with the Blueshirts for three seasons . In his first season with the Blueshirts , Holmes had a 6 – 7 ( win @-@ loss ) record over 15 games with a shutout , and a 4 @.@ 47 goals @-@ against average . The Blueshirts ended up missing the playoffs . In the 1913 – 14 season , Holmes ' second season with the Blueshirts , he won the Stanley Cup for the first time . It was the first time a Toronto @-@ based team won the Stanley Cup . In the NHA playoffs , Holmes won one out of two games , and recorded a 1 @.@ 00 goals @-@ against average and one shutout ; in the Stanley Cup final , Holmes won all three games and finished with a 2 @.@ 59 goals @-@ against average . The next season , the Blueshirts missed the playoffs , as Holmes had only eight victories over 20 games , ending up with a 4 @.@ 18 goals @-@ against average . 
