after graduation, costello moved to seattle, working as the marketing director of the seattle totems, and stayed for 15 years. he later became publicity director for the western hockey league itself. costello rose up the ranks to become director of hockey operations for the totems, and his team won consecutive lester patrick cup championships in 1967, and 1968. he moved to ottawa in 1973, did contract work with the canadian amateur hockey association teaching and working on coaching certification programs, worked as a scout for the phoenix roadrunners, and studied at the university of ottawa faculty of law. he completed his law degree in 1977, then worked in the legal department of the canadian radio-television and telecommunications commission, and later as an arbitrator for the world hockey association players’ association. costello was formally called to the bar on april 9, 1979.