Qualification Tournament
The following teams participated in the championship. Qualification was the top three from the 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament, and the top five from the 1996 European Championship.
- Canada - Qualified as 1st in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament
- China - Qualified as 3rd in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament
- Finland - Qualified as 3rd in 1996 European Championship
- Norway - Qualified as 4th in 1996 European Championship
- Russia - Qualified as 2nd in 1996 European Championship
- Switzerland - Qualified as 5th in 1996 European Championship
- Sweden - Qualified as 1st in 1996 European Championship
- United States - Qualified as 2nd in 1996 Pacific Qualification Tournament
Read more about this topic: 1997 IIHF Women's World Championship