Compete Level vs Work Ethic

[AngelDuck]

I see these two terms thrown around pretty often on here, so it got me wondering what people really mean by these two terms. I've always taken work ethic to mean how hard a player trains off the ice (if he's in good shape, etc.)...on the other hand I've always considered compete level to be how hard a player is playing in the actual game (regardless of if he's well conditioned or what have you). Do I have this right or is it the other way around?

I think when a player is ineffective ppl automatically assume it's because he's not trying but a lot of the time it's his off ice training that is lacking

 

[oobga]

I see these two terms thrown around pretty often on here, so it got me wondering what people really mean by these two terms. I've always taken work ethic to mean how hard a player trains off the ice (if he's in good shape, etc.)...on the other hand I've always considered compete level to be how hard a player is playing in the actual game (regardless of if he's well conditioned or what have you). Do I have this right or is it the other way around?

I think when a player is ineffective ppl automatically assume it's because he's not trying but a lot of the time it's his off ice training that is lacking

Your descriptions sound right to me. I think of work ethic as something you prove and you're working hard and the limitation that could stop you is just yourself. And competing is against others, and the higher your compete level is, the more you can motivate yourself push back and impose your will on others.

Could have awesome work ethic and come to camp ripped in awesome shape, bragging about how you almost matched Dallas Eakins' triathlon record, but if your compete level is crap, you might curl into a ball and throw pucks away so you don't get hit when you're lined up by a guy that is willing to run you through the boards.

 

[Wild11MN]

I've always considered them to be the same thing, but what you said makes sense. I just hate the term 'compete level'.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

Didnt Mike Richards succeed because compete level but fail because work ethic?

Funny enough i think you could almost say the same thing for LeCavalier and he was acquired by philly after trading Richards

 

[Menzinger]

"Compete level" has become a phrase I come to hate.

It seems to be used mostly on these boards as a buzzword to criticize players when one can't actually point to something wrong they're doing.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

"Compete level" has become a phrase I come to hate.

It seems to be used mostly on these boards as a buzzword to criticize players when one can't actually point to something wrong they're doing.

People use the turn motor too in the same way they use compete level. Its hard to decribe but i think everyone knows what you mean when you say it.

A guy who doesnt get tired or is explosive in everything he does.

For ottawa i would characterize Alfredsson, Fisher and Pageau as three players with excellent compete levels.

Im not sure how hard these guys worked off the ice but on the ice they regularly out battle and out compete their opponents.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

"Compete level" has become a phrase I come to hate.

It seems to be used mostly on these boards as a buzzword to criticize players when one can't actually point to something wrong they're doing.

Yeah, you mean you dont like reading that Kessel lacks work ethics and compete level.

I would actually say Kessel have a high level of compete in him, but his lack of work ethics and him being afraid to get hit limits him. And being the person he is, when he does not win and are unable to score he gets pissed and throw tantrums.

Look at him at the start of the season and compare him towards the end of the season. The desire to win is there all the time but while at the start when his legs are fresh, there is a bit more free scoring from open play compared to the end of the season when little injuries and tired legs kicks in and at the same time more of the goals are scored closer around the net because most teams are tightening their defenses. Well then his high compete level is not enough and his lack of work ethics takes over.

 

[Plural]

Those two things often mix together and they might mean different things for different people.

In my mind, Martin St.Louis has/had amazing work ethics. On and off the ice. Dude was willing to work his butt off to accomplish his goals.

Mark Messier had amazing compete level. He did everything in his power to win games. He never took any situation lightly and at times he looked like he was playing possessed.

Both qualities are usually evident in all great players, but some players show other side more.

Selanne as younger guy had amazing compete level. He just simply wanted to out-skate and out-score the opposing team. As an older guy, he had amazing work ethics. He kept his body in great shape and went the extra mile to make sure he was in right condition to play.

So, both these qualities are important and are often heavily tied together.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

Selänne had amazing work ethics as a young guy as well.

 

[Plural]

Selänne had amazing work ethics as a young guy as well.

True, that was one of his strengths always. But his game had more "drive" in it at younger days. Something that resembles more the wording "compete level". It might just be the case of a speedster getting older and slower though.

 

[613Leafer]

"Compete level" has become a phrase I come to hate.

It seems to be used mostly on these boards as a buzzword to criticize players when one can't actually point to something wrong they're doing.

Unless you think all players put in the same level of effort in all areas of the game, I don't see why you'd hate the term or disregard the concept.

Some players play above their skill level because they're constantly going hard, back checking hard, going hard after loose pucks, etc. Others play below their skill level by not doing those things. Ideally you get that combination of elite skill with a great attitude, work ethic, etc.

 

[tony d]

Wouldn't these 2 things be the same thing?

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

Wouldn't these 2 things be the same thing?

No, not really. You can have a high compete level but lack the work ethics to be competitive enough. Best thing and the most successful ones in the modern game are the ones who got both, of course. But you can still be highly competitive but not have the inner drive to push your self to the limit in preparation for the competitions.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Can we stop using the grammatical nightmare that is the phrase "compete level" just...forever?

 

[TOGuy14]

Toronto had trouble finding a place to refill their "give a ****" meter this year, according to Horachek.

 

[Wayne Primeau]

“Compete Level” is a meaningless deception utilized by hapless American baseball analysts, especially those employed by ESPN or FOX, that are forced to devote five minutes per week of their non-stop 2-hour sports shows to hockey and need to fill time without actually providing new opinions.

 

[Menzinger]

Unless you think all players put in the same level of effort in all areas of the game, I don't see why you'd hate the term or disregard the concept.

Some players play above their skill level because they're constantly going hard, back checking hard, going hard after loose pucks, etc. Others play below their skill level by not doing those things. Ideally you get that combination of elite skill with a great attitude, work ethic, etc.

Because it's completely and utterly subjective from person to person. You may have a totally different evaluation of Player X's 'compete level' than I do.