Members of Israel Elite Hockey League teams visit NHL office in NYC

The day after bringing Israel professional hockey to North America at UBS Arena, players from the Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv took the short trip to Manhattan to visit the NHL office.

The teams played in the Israel Elite Hockey League (IEHL) USA Challenge Cup on Sunday, at the NHL home of the New York Islanders, and Jerusalem came away with a thrilling 7-6 overtime victory over Tel Aviv. On Monday, the teams were visiting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and broadcaster Kenny Albert, who was on the call for Sunday’s game, at the NHL office.

The pit stop was planned as the players wrap up their trip to the United States. For many of them, this was their first time visiting the U.S. and New York City.

"Today was so special for all of us," said Capitals forward Yuval Halpert in a text message. "Never in a million years would we have thought we would be guests at the NHL offices. ... We felt so welcomed by everyone and I think I can say it was one of the highlights of the trip.

"We couldn't be more thankful for this and can't wait to see what the future holds for Israeli hockey."

The players got a full tour of the League headquarters, including visiting the NHL studios and the NHL Store.

Along with Bettman and Albert, professional women’s hockey player Chelsea Goldberg joined the players during the visit.

Sunday’s game drew upwards of 8,000 fans, many of whom were wearing Tel Aviv and Capitals jerseys, to watch the memorable matchup.

"I think it was a moment everyone remembers the rest of their lives," said Jerusalem assistant coach David Warsofsky after the game. " A lot of these guys haven't been able to play in an arena like this. It's a historic moment for Israeli hockey."

Warsofsky is a former NHL defenseman who played from 2013-18 and is the younger brother of San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky.

-NHL Staff Writer Jon Lane contributed to this report