Floorball is an indoor team sport played using composite sticks with a plastic vented blade where the aim is to put a light plastic ball into the opponent's goal. Floorball is most popular in Sweden, Finland and Switzerland, and is also played in several other countries, such as Norway and the Czech Republic. It is gaining popularity in many other places as well, including some countries outside Europe, such as Singapore, Japan, Australia and the United States.

Floorball is played in a court by six players per side. The objective of the game is to score goals by playing a plastic ball into the opponent's goal net, which is placed at the opposite end of the rink. The players may control and redirect the ball using a stick with a blade that is often curved at one end. Players must not use their hands, arms or head to play the ball on purpose. One may use other body parts. It is also allowed to play (especially stop) the ball once by foot, but not to score goals or pass to teammates.

A floorball team consist of 5 field players and one goalkeeper, whose primary job is to stop the ball from entering the net, and who is permitted unique gear towards that end. The goalkeeper is not permitted a stick. The playing field is 40 x 20 metres and enclosed by a board with rounded corners (50 cm tall). The goal cages are 1.60 x 1.15 m and 65 cm deep. The sticks are made of plastic or carbon and a bit over 1 metre long. The shaft is no longer than 99 cm and a blade of a different kind of plastic is attached to its end. The ball is made of plastic, is 72 mm in diameter, has a maximum weight of 23 grams, and has 26 holes in it.

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NYT > Hockey

Education of an A.D.: Alberts Is a Quick Study
By PAT BORZI Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:48:12 -0000
Trev Alberts, a former all-American linebacker at Nebraska, is trying to revitalize the athletic department at Division II Nebraska-Omaha.
Rangers Lose Antropov, but Could Come Out Ahead
By JEFF Z. KLEIN Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:05:41 -0000
With most of the N.H.L.’s free-agent signings having taken place on Day 1, it was possible to assess which teams helped themselves the most.
In a Day of Deals, the Rangers Swoop In on Gaborik
By JEFF Z. KLEIN Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:39:31 -0000
Marian Gaborik is moving from the defensive-oriented Wild to the attack-minded Rangers, who also signed an enforcer, Donald Brashear.

Los Angeles Times - Hockey

Kings trade for left wing Ryan Smyth
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Teemu Selanne says he will play one more season with the Ducks. Unable to find a productive winger in the free-agent market, the Kings went the trade route Friday to acquire veteran left wing Ryan Smyth from Colorado for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010.
Kings sign Rob Scuderi to four-year, $13.6-million deal
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
The defenseman comes to L.A. after helping Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup last month. The Kings made their first venture into the free-agent market Thursday, but not for the winger they need so much.
Free-agency games begin, but the Kings stay on the sideline
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Several players sign big deals, including Marian Hossa, who lands a 12-year contract with the Blackhawks. But the Kings come up empty again. Marian Hossa set himself up for life with a 12-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, Marian Gaborik set a high-water mark by getting a five-year average of $7.5 million from the New York Rangers, and Scott Niedermayer set up for probably his last season with the Ducks, topping the list of players who became very rich on the first day of NHL free agency.

Boston.com -- Boston Bruins news

Recchi ringing in last year?
Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0000
Five hundred and forty-five career goals. Two rings. If he scores a bunch of the former next season, Mark Recchi could win one of the latter. That’s how he hopes 2009-10, most likely his final NHL season, will go.
Bruins' Recchi: Likely his last season in NHL
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:50:43 -0000
Mark Recchi wants one last chance to be a Stanley Cup champ again. The 41-year-old Recchi, who signed a one-year deal to return to the Bruins on Thursday, said during a conference call Friday that he'll likely call it quits after next season.
Recchi re-ups for one year
Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0000
Mark Recchi , 545 career goals and counting, came to terms on a one-year contract extension with the Bruins yesterday, positioning the savvy, veteran winger to spend his 20th NHL season in the Hub of Hockey.

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