The obvious choice for SHL 48 cover athlete would be New Orleans Specters forward DeMaricus Smyth (@Blastmeaway ). Smyth had a big year, led the league in goals and points, and has a respectable grit per 60. He has okay looks for the cover too, and plays in a market that the SHL desperately wants to establish as a new hockey hotbed, both to expand the game's national reach and produce a breeding ground for future SHL talents. Overall a good choice for marketing and meritorious purposes.

For the "Special Game of the Year Holographic Chocolate-Coated Player's Edition" cover of SHL 48 however, my choice would be different. For that cover I'd go with the two leaders / captains / important people of the Challenge Cup finalist teams, whoever they end up being. For example, if the final was Edmonton vs West Kendall, we could do a cover image of Hercules Rockefeller (@Leafs4ever ) taking a faceoff against Gabriel Wong (@Wongy ) with a shadow of the Challenge Cup looming in the background.