China is the most recently promoted team and host nation, and they look poised to challenge for promotion again, immediately.
Earning promotion to the Division 1A tournament, China pledged to host the event for the next three years. If their trajectory as a hockey nation continues, China might earn promotion before that three year period ends.
Leah Lum led the World Championships in scoring last year and won an Isobel Cup title with the PHF's Toronto Six this season. She'll be China's top offensive threat, especially with Hannah Miller, the best forward from last year's World Championship not back this year.
Beyond this duo, China will find secondary support from NCAA players Anna Segedi and Kasundra Betinol, and former Clarkson Cup and Isobel Cup Champion Rachel Ilanes, who tied Lum for the tournament lead in scoring last season.
Long Island University assistant captain Anna Fairman will anchor China's blueline.
Similar to the other top teams in this division, China also boasts a top tier goaltender in Tia Chan. Chan posted a 1.67 GAA and .935 save percentage with the University of Connecticut at the NCAA level this season. She played five games for China last year backstopping them to promotion. Dartmouth commit Grace Zhan, 2006, be China's second netminder after a strong season with Minnesota's Hill-Murray School.