Eight teams have qualified: Canada, as the host, USA, defending champions, Finland, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden Czech Republic, and Japan. The championship field can be split into three tiers: Avoiding Relegation, Bronze Medal Contention, and USA/Canada.
Avoiding Relegation
Sweden
The Swedes are an old school hockey power that has fallen on hard times. They are the only team besides the US and Canada to compete in an international championship game for women’s hockey, when they took silver in the 2006 Olympics. However, since then they finished third in the 2007 World Championships but haven’t finished above fourth since.