A Johnston native was the scoring champ in the United States Hockey League regular season. Chad Costello led the league with 76 points on 31 goals and 45 assists as he helped the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders win the East Division title.

Cedar Rapids coach Mark Carlson says Costello’s effort began well before hockey season. Costello came to Cedar Rapids after playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers two seasons ago and with Wichita Falls of the North American Hockey League last year. Carlson says Costello’s experience working to return to the USHL helped him become a better player during his second stint in the nation’s top junior league.

Carlson says rule changes in professional hockey could help Costello make it to the highest level of the sport. He says without the “clutching and grabbing” Costello has a chance to play in the NHL. Next season Costello will move on to Northeastern University in Boston. Cedar Rapids starts defense of their Clark Cup title with a playoff series versus the Indiana Ice Tuesday.