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A look at the teams competing at the women's world hockey championship:

Canada

The 11th and 12th forwards and fifth and sixth defencemen are expected to deliver the same performance as forwards on the first line and the top defensive pairing. No country can match that depth.

The team's leadership dynamic has changed without veterans Danielle Goyette (retired) and Vicky Sunohara (cut from the team). The perennial question is who will get the coveted starts against the U.S.: Kim St. Pierre or Charline Labonte?

Players to watch: F Hayley Wickenheiser, F Rebecca Johnston, F Meghan Mikkelson.

U.S.

Second new coach in as many years as Ohio State's Jackie Barto takes over for Mike Johnson. Star forward Krissy Wendell is taking the year off after her marriage to Toronto Maple Leaf John Pohl last summer, but the Americans remain Canada's toughest rival even without her.

Players to watch: F Natalie Darwitz, F Sarah Parsons, D Molly Engstrom.

Sweden

The Swedes are young with an average age of 21. The roster includes four 17-year-olds and one 16-year-old. Sweden goes as goaltender Kim Martin goes. The hero of her country's semifinal upset of the U.S. at the 2006 Olympics can steal a game if she gets support from her teammates in front of her.

Players to watch: G Kim Martin, F Maria Rooth, F Erika Holst.

Finland

The Finns need to score more than a goal a game, which all they averaged last year in Winnipeg. Five Finns play for U.S. colleges and two — D Heidi Pelttari and F Saara Tuominen — won last month's NCAA championship with Minnesota-Duluth under Canadian coach Shannon Miller. Goaltender Noora Raty was chosen best goaltender at the 2007 world championships in Winnipeg.

Players to watch: G Noora Raty, D Heidi Pelttari, F Mari Pehkonen.

Switzerland

The Swiss took a major step up in qualifying for the 2006 Olympics and made another with a best-ever fifth last year in Winnipeg, despite having two 18-year-old defencemen. Several Swiss play alongside Canadian imports on the club team Lugano and three play for U.S. colleges.

Players to watch: G Florence Schelling, F Kathrin Lehmann, F Christine Meier.

China

The Chinese have put time, effort and money into ensuring a competitive host team. Canadian Steve Carlyle was hired as head coach last summer. The national team spent three months training and playing games at the Olympic Oval in Calgary and six players were on the rosters of Western Women's Hockey League teams.

Players to watch: G Yao Shi, F Linuo Wang.

Russia

The Russians haven't built on their bronze medal at the 2001 world championship. They haven't finished higher than sixth in the Olympics or the last two world championships. Forward Ilya Gavrilova also played for Miller at Minnesota-Duluth this year.

Player to watch: F Ilya Gavrilova, F Ekaterina Smolentseva.

Germany

Despite a memorable 61-save performance by goaltender Viona Harrer in Canada's 8-0 win over Germany last year in Winnipeg, the Germans backslid to eighth place after finishing fifth in the Olympics and the previous world championship. No goals in the preliminary round will do that.

Players to watch: G Viona Harrer, D Suzanne Fellner, F Suzanne Gotz.

Japan

Japan earned promotion from the second-tier women's world championship. The country makes just its third appearance in the 10 world championships since 1990.

Players to watch: F Yurie Adachi, F Ami Nakamura.