Finland, which finished in fourth place last year, named three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards. The team includes many veteran players from the last championships as well as goalie Noora Raty, who stages her comeback in IIHF play after three years.

While most players join from Finnish clubs, four play college hockey in North America and seven in the Swedish league.

“It is the best team during my time,” said head coach Pasi Mustonen, in his third season with the Finnish women’s national team. “This is a competitive group with the best players.”

“We’re going to the championship with a positive mindset. The aim is of course to return to a medal placing.”

Finland will play in Group A against defending champion USA, Canada and Russia.

In the group below neighbouring rival Sweden will compete to get back to the top-four and has finalized its team including three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards. All but forwards Maria Lindh and Michelle Lowenhielm, who play for the University of Minnesota Duluth, join from teams of the Swedish top league.

The Swedes will fly to the U.S. next Thursday and play exhibition games in Ann Arbor against the Czechs and Germany.

The Czechs started practising this week 25-player roster of which two skaters will have to be cut. Link to the Czech camp roster.

Finland roster

Goaltenders:
Anni Keisala, Karpat Oulu
Noora Raty, Pyry
Eveliina Suonpaa, Lukko Rauma

Defencemen:
Jenni Hiirikoski, Lulea HF (SWE)
Mira Jalosuo, Karpat Oulu
Anna Kilponen, University of North Dakota (NCAA)
Rosa Lindstedt, HV71 Jonkoping (SWE)
Isa Rahunen, Karpat Oulu
Ronja Savolainen, Lulea HF (SWE)
Minnamari Tuominen, Linköpings HC (SWE)

Forwards:
Sanni Hakala, HV71 Jonkoping
Venla Hovi, University of Manitoba (CAN)
Michelle Karvinen, Lulea HF (SWE)
Sari Karna, Ilves Tampere
Petra Nieminen, Team Kuortane
Tanja Niskanen, KalPa Kuopio
Emma Nuutinen, University of North Dakota (NCAA)
Sara Sakkinen, Team Kuortane
Susanna Tapani, Lukko Rauma
Noora Tulus, Lulea HF (SWE)
Saana Valkama, University of Vermont (NCAA)
Riikka Valila, HV71 Jonkoping (SWE)
Linda Valimaki, Espoo United

Head Coach:
Pasi Mustonen

Sweden roster

Goaltenders:
Lovisa Berndtsson, Djurgarden Stockholm
Sarah Berglind, MODO Ornskoldsvik
Grahn Sara, Brynas Gavle

Defencemen:
Jessica Adolfsson, Brynas Gavle
Johanna Fallman, Lulea HF
Anna Kjellbin, Linkopings HC
Maja Nyhlen-Persson, Leksands IF
Johanna Olofsson, MODO Ornskoldsvik
Emilia Ramboldt, Linkopings HC
Annie Svedin, MODO Ornskoldsvik

Forwards:
Anna Borgqvist, Brynas Gavle
Olivia Carlsson, MODO Ornskoldsvik
Erika Grahm, MODO Ornskoldsvik
Sara Hjalmarsson, AIK Stockholm
Lisa Johansson, AIK Stockholm
Sabina Kuller, AIK Stockholm
Maria Lindh, University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)
Michelle Lowenhielm, University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)
Emma Nordin, Lulea HF
Hanna Olsson, Djurgarden Stockholm
Fanny Rask, HV71 Jonkoping
Erica Uden Johansson, Sundsvall Hockey
Pernilla Winberg, Linkopings HC

Head Coach:
Leif Boork