The Ice Blacks claimed silver at the division two, group B world championships in Bulgaria.
They won four of their five games to finish second to champions Israel.
Veteran Southern Stampede forward Colin McIntosh was named New Zealand’s player of the tournament after contributing 11 points (six goals, five assists).
Another Stampede player, Stefan Amston (four goals, six assists), was named the Ice Blacks’ best defenceman, while Australian-based youngster Jacob Carey (seven goals, four assists) was named best forward.
Former Queenstown-based goaltender Joel Hasselman had a solid tournament with a save rate of 88.7.
The crucial game in the tournament ended up being the opener, Israel beating New Zealand 7-6 in overtime.
Israel led 4-0 at one stage before the Ice Blacks came roaring back to make it 4-3.
The Israelis led 6-5 with barely three minutes left on the clock. Carey scored the goal to send it to overtime, but Israel scored the winner 2min 31sec into the extra period.
A 6-2 loss to Iceland set the Tall Blacks back, but they responded with a 7-1 demolition of Bulgaria.
McIntosh led the way with four goals against the host nation.
The Ice Blacks then pumped Chinese Taipei 9-2 in a game that featured some notable scorers.
Stampede and former Dunedin Thunder favourite Dylan Devlin scored his first two goals for his country, and Stampede forward Jackson Flight, another former Thunder player, also grabbed his first goal.
The Ice Blacks appeared to be ending their tournament on a disappointing note when they slipped into a 3-0 hole against Kyrgyzstan after just 12 minutes.
But their response was rousing.
Ryan Strayer, Ivan Dalmatau, Amston, Carey and Flight scored unanswered goals, and the Ice Blacks stayed firm after conceding once more to win 5-4.
The Ice Blacks needed Israel to lose a game, but the eventual champions, while getting a fright in overtime against Kyrgyzstan, stayed unbeaten to earn promotion.
Original selection Ian Audas was unable to attend the tournament and was replaced by Dunedin Thunder team-mate Morgan Blair, while Thunder coach Guillaume Leclancher was an assistant coach.
Connor Harrison was the other Stampede player in the squad.
