This year Russia's team coach Vyacheslav Bykov brought 13 forwards, 9 defensemen and three goaltenders, relying heavily on Russian Continental Hockey League (KHL) players, with only six players from the NHL.
Russia's Group B will play all matches in Berne, starting on Friday with a match against Germany. The Russians are then scheduled to play France on April 26 and Switzerland on April 28.
Russia won last year's championship in Canada after beating the hosts 5-4 in overtime, clinching the world title for the first time in 15 years.
According to the IIHF pre-Championship ranking report issued before the championship, Russia and Canada have 2000 points each, but Russia is listed first due to its championship victory. Both countries have 24 world titles each.
