 At the same time , his mother Loretta was diagnosed with skin cancer . Following her death early in his freshman year , Cullen contemplated returning to his Ontario home , but was convinced by his father to continue with both school and hockey . He used the game to cope with the loss and dedicated every game he played to his mother 's memory . Cullen felt that the inspiration he drew from his mother 's battle allowed him to become a better player . 
 At the same time , his mother Loretta was diagnosed with skin cancer . Following her death early in his freshman year , Cullen contemplated returning to his Ontario home , but was convinced by his father to continue with both school and hockey . He used the game to cope with the loss and dedicated every game he played to his mother <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>memory . Cullen felt that the inspiration he drew from his mother <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>battle allowed him to become a better player . 
At da same time , his mother Loretta was diagnosed w/ skin cancer . Following her death early in his freshman year , Cullen contemplated returning to his Ontario home , but was convinced by his father to continue with both school and hockey . He used the game to cope with tdaloss and dedicated every game he played to his mother  memory . Cullen felt dat thdanspiration he drew from his mother  battle allowed em to become a betta player .