The Otago allrounder played 61 first-class games for the Volts and two for New Zealand A. He was also famously called into the Black Caps test side in 2012, although the 32-year-old has better cricket memories.
But towards the end of his career, Wells was spending too much time nursing injuries. He had also knocked back several job opportunities and his love of the sport was flagging.
"I was given a good opportunity here at Gallaway Cook Allan and I suppose I haven’t been performing for Otago how I would like in the last few years," Wells said.
"My body has been slowly packing up and that has been evident by the various injuries I’ve had.
"And you get to the stage when you are 32, and you are not likely to ever play for New Zealand again, and you have to make some life choices that are best for you and your family.
"The enjoyment for me was waning by the end, particularly with the injuries and spending significant periods of time sitting on the couch. It does not do much for your personal development."
Wells, a solicitor, has joined the civil litigation team and is married to Alice. The couple have a 7-month-old daughter, Frankie. Outside Otago, Wells is probably best remembered as the bolter who was called into the Black Caps test side five years ago and never played.
It is a bit of sore point for Wells, who averaged 31.11 in 63 first-class games and took 115 wickets.
"Obviously it was a great honour but it was a bit out of the blue. I never got to play and it was sort of a strange experience.
"I was with them for two or three days and then back out and never went back again.
"I probably didn’t really deserve the call-up through weight of performance. I had only had a few good games here and there, so I’m sure it is a highlight but it is also all I’ve been known for — as the guy who was 12th man once."
Wells said making his first big contributions for Otago and getting the respect of his team-mates were "better memories".
His finest performance was against Canterbury three years ago, when he became the fifth Otago player to take five wickets and score a century in the same innings.
"That particular game was a highlight and I remember it was a record fourth-innings chase. But I actually remember the beers in the changing room after as my biggest highlight of that game and that is the sort of thing that you probably remember."
Wells is on the board of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and wants to remain in that position at least until the contract negotiations next year.
He is hopeful New Zealand Cricket can avoid the breakdown in negotiations in Australia at the moment, but even if the process runs smoothly, Wells sees a challenge for the international game to remain relevant.
"Australia cricket is having a problem at the moment because they don’t control the only source of work for the cricketers any more.
"[Cricket] has changed fast and I don’t think anyone knows where it is heading with any sort of certainty. But I would be surprised if we see as much international cricket as we do in 10 or 15 years."
