The 21-year-old has a growing reputation as a quality defender and drag flick specialist but he is still trying to cement his position in the team.
He did his reputation no harm with some solid performances for New Zealand at the recent World League finals in New Delhi.
While the Black Sticks were bitterly disappointed to lose the final 7-2 to world No 3 the Netherlands, they were also satisfied by how much progress the team made.
''The team improved in every game and we were just enjoying our hockey and that is why we are playing so well,'' Russell said.
''We gained so much confidence. It is a pretty exciting time going ahead, I think. We want to consistently keep finishing in the top four and I think we are on track or certainly getting there.''
The quarterfinal against Argentina and semifinal against England went to penalty shootouts and the Black Sticks won them both. Goalkeeper Devon Manchester was outstanding and penalty-takers displayed cool heads and confidence.
New Zealand played its best hockey against England. But the Dutch were too assertive and the Black Sticks had to settle for a silver medal. It was the first time since winning Olympic gold in Montreal in 1976 that New Zealand had made a tier one final.
Russell, part of the talented group of hockey players to emerge from Otago Boys' High School in recent years, was pleased about his own form at the tournament.
''I'm happy with the way I played. I think I did everything I was trying to do and I stuck to my plans. I guess as long as I keep it up then, hopefully, I'll stay in [the team].''
The Black Sticks have the Champions Challenge tournament in Malaysia in late April, before the World Cup in The Hague, and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in July.
- Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
