Former Southern Men defender Blair Tarrant left Dunedin 15 months ago and moved to Wellington to further his hockey career.
He was part of a talented trio including Hugo Inglis and Nick Ross who moved from the province in search of greener pastures.
Inglis was selected for the Black Sticks last year and has retained his place.
But yesterday it was Tarrant's turn to share the spotlight.
He was one of two new caps named in the side to contest the Four Nations tournament in Nottingham, England, from July 12-17 and was also selected in an experienced team which will compete in the Champions Trophy in Germany beginning on July 31.
"I was aiming to go on the Nottingham trip but I'm so stoked to be going to the Champions Trophy as well," the 20-year-old told the Otago Daily Times.
The classy defender grew up in Dunedin and was part of a successful Otago Boys' High School side which won the India Shield in 2007 and finished second in the Rankin Cup - the elite boys' secondary school tournament.
Tarrant was happy to stay in Dunedin, play for the Southern Men and study surveying at the University of Otago, but with Inglis and Ross transferring to Midlands, he decided a shift would be beneficial.
"I was happy in Dunedin but everyone was leaving so I decided to go somewhere else to try and further my hockey."
A persistent back injury stymied Tarrant's progress, but after "a lot of physio" he is fit and looking forward to the challenge of playing at the international level and linking up with former team-mate Inglis.
"It will be good to play with him at that level because I played with him growing up."
Tarrant is studying for a commerce degree, majoring in accounting, at Victoria University and suggested he might have to put his studies on hold next semester.
"Blair has a good understanding of the game, which I know will help him play to his best at the top level," Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod said in statement.
The 18-strong Champions Trophy squad features the return of the Shaw brothers - Hayden and Brad - and Simon Child, all of whom missed the World Cup earlier in the year.
Captain Phil Burrows, who broke his leg during that tournament, also returns.
Burrows and the vastly experienced Ryan Archibald have played almost 500 internationals between them, while Dean Couzins and Blair Hopping have played more than 200 each.
Four other players have more than 100 games to their credit.
"We will be matching up with the best in the world, so it's vital we have the best of Black Sticks' talent on the field at any one time to bring it home at the business end," McLeod said.
