Blocked shots weren't an official statistic during Ludwig's NHL career, so it's impossible to measure how many scoring chances he got in the way of during his 17 seasons as one of the League's best defensive defensemen during the 1980s and 1990s. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he was a classic stay-at-home defenseman who knew how to play physically without taking needless penalties, was excellent at reading plays and adept at anticipating what opposing attackers wanted to do.

The Montreal Canadiens selected Ludwig in the third round (No. 61) of the 1980 NHL Draft, and he joined them for the 1982-83 season after three years at the University of North Dakota, where he helped UND win two national championships. He finished with 25 points, all assists, as a rookie and again had 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 1983-84 -- but never came close to those numbers again.

Instead, Ludwig made his living helping to keep the puck out of his own net. He helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup in 1986.

The Canadiens traded Ludwig to the New York Islanders on Sept. 4, 1990. After one season the Islanders traded him to the Minnesota North Stars on June 22, 1991.

The North Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, and as the team improved in the late 1990s, Ludwig's willingness and ability to play a stay-at-home role became more valuable. He was a combined plus-43 from 1996-97 through 1998-99 and became a two-time Stanley Cup champion in 1999 when the Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres in a six-game Cup Final.

Ludwig retired after Dallas won the Cup, finishing with 222 points (38 goals, 184 assists) in 1,256 NHL games, as well as 29 points (four goals, 25 assists) in 177 Stanley Cup Playoff games.