McGregor hasn't had time to mull over his selection (or non-selection, depending on which way you look at it). His elevation to No 2 in the pecking order of shot-stoppers behind 147-cap veteran Pontifex was taking time to register.
"I presumed, like everyone else, Stevie would get the nod so it was a pretty massive surprise when Shooter [Black Sticks coach Shane McLeod] called last Monday to say I was going," McGregor said.
"I feel for Stevie because we both moved from Tauranga to train with the squad and give the Olympics a crack so it was always going to be hard for one of us.
"I don't know what was said among the selectors or why I was picked but it's another weird story for my hockey career."
McGregor's distinct Aussie twang is still very much evident, although he reckons 2 years back in New Zealand has smoothed the harshest edges. He was born in Christchurch but moved with his family to Australia when he was 2, living in Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and Hobart before winding up at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga doing the marine studies course.
McGregor is unsure what to expect from the Olympics. He and Panchia will be in a hotel for two weeks, able to train with the team but reduced to spectators on game day. Midfielder and vice-captain Shea McAleese will strap on the protective padding if Pontifex is injured during a game, with McGregor on standby in case Pontifex is forced out.
"There's been very little explained about my role in London but I'm there if the worst-case scenario happens, which hopefully it won't," McGregor said. "Ari and I will apparently be based with a group of other New Zealanders and will have tickets to all the games. Richard [Petherick] and Nick [Wilson] were on standby in Beijing and said it was quite a cool experience going to the games and getting amongst the Olympic atmosphere."
With Pontifex and Graham ahead of him, McGregor moved to Auckland this year determined to train hard and exert as much pressure as possible.
Pontifex is one of the world's top keepers. At the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, he was the player of the final when New Zealand beat Argentina 1-0, not to mention the goalkeeper of the tournament, and at December's Champions Trophy at home he was also the goalkeeper of the tournament.
"I went to Auckland not resigned to staying at No 3," McGregor said. "I didn't want to make up numbers - there's no fun in that. Obviously Kyle is one of the best in the world at what he does so it was going to be tough to displace him but it was worth training hard to try and be better than him.
"I've worked hard, got a sweat up and tried to be a presence. Even though I haven't had many chances to play I've just put myself in front of a hockey ball [travelling at 120km/h]. Pretty simple really."
