Oilers' Chad Costello is thriving in Tulsa
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Friday, January 28, 2011
1/28/11 at 7:11 AM
After several years of moving around, Chad Costello seems to have found a home with the Tulsa Oilers.
A 24-year-old forward with his third team in three years of professional hockey, Costello is second in the Central Hockey League scoring race with 64 points.
"Tulsa has been great," said Costello, who lives here with his girlfriend, Ashley, and 6-month-old son, Cayne. "We love Tulsa. It's taken us in, and it's felt like home since we've been here."
Originally from Johnston, Iowa, Costello has played hockey since age 3. He came to Tulsa after fellow CHL team Corpus Christi folded last year. He also has spent time on several junior league teams as well as a season at Northeastern University.
"When I first signed him, I told him I wanted him to be a top-10 scorer in this league," Oilers coach Bruce Ramsay said. "He's obviously exceeded expectations, but he's had a tremendous amount of skill.
"He's done a great job for us. He's still young and has a bright future ahead of him."
This season, Costello has 25 goals and 39 assists.
"I obviously set some goals before the season starts, but usually I worry more about the points the Tulsa Oilers have rather than just me," Costello said. "I'm more worried about the standings than the point race."
The Oilers (21-19-1) are tied for third in the Berry Conference. They host Missouri at 7:35 p.m. Friday at the BOK Center.
Although Tulsa is coming off Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Colorado that broke a four-game win streak, the team has won six of its last nine. Costello has been a key part of that, scoring six goals in the past five games and earning points in the last 12 games.
"Personally, (Jack) Combs and I have found a good chemistry together," Costello said. "That makes it a lot easier to get the puck in the net when you're connecting as good as we are."
Oilers up next
vs. Missouri
7:35 p.m. Friday • BOK Center
Records: Tulsa, 21-19-1, 43 points, tied for third in Berry Conference. Missouri, 20-14-4, 44 points, tied for fifth in Turner Conference.
Promotions: Supercuts Hockey Cards Night. First 1,000 fans through the door will receive a set of Oilers Hockey Cards.
Tickets: $10 to $40. Available at (866) 726-5287, tickets.com, area Reasor's and Homeland stores.
Original Print Headline: Oilers forward is finding success in Tulsa
Kelly Hines 581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Chad Costello has 25 goals and 39 assists for the Oilers this season. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
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