At the 2017 IIHF annual congress it was decided that the Top Division would expand from eight to ten teams.

The Top Division tournament was played in Plymouth Township, Michigan, United States, from 31 March to 7 April 2017.

The Division II Group A tournament was played in Gangneung, South Korea, from 2 to 8 April 2017.

The Division II Group B tournament was played in Akureyri, Iceland, from 27 February to 5 March 2017.

The Division II Group B Qualification tournament was played in Taipei, Taiwan, from 12 to 17 December 2016.