Wayne Gretzky and Miguel Patricio built their reputations in different professions: Gretzky as a Canadian hockey champion, Patricio as a Portuguese executive in the food and beverage industry. Their names together suggest a shared story, but the reliable sources reviewed for this article do not establish a personal relationship or joint business venture. What can be traced is Kraft Heinz’s involvement in hockey, including a community program that operated during Patricio’s leadership. Understanding that distinction starts with their actual careers: the player who changed NHL scoring and the marketer who later led a major global food company.
Wayne Gretzky and Miguel Patricio at a Glance
| Detail | Wayne Gretzky | Miguel Patricio |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Canadian | Portuguese |
| Main field | Professional ice hockey | Consumer goods and brand management |
| Defining career period | NHL player, 1979–1999 | Kraft Heinz CEO, 2019–2023 |
| Major distinction | Four Stanley Cup championships | Former global chief marketing officer of AB InBev |
Wayne Gretzky’s NHL Career and Lasting Records
The Backyard Rink and the Edmonton Years
Born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Gretzky learned to skate on a backyard rink built by his father, Walter. Those hours of practice became a central part of his account of how he developed his skills. He credited his father with a characteristically brief explanation:
“It’s not God-given, it’s Wally-given.” — Wayne Gretzky, on his father’s contribution to his success.
Gretzky turned professional at 17 with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association in 1978. He soon moved to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL in 1979. Edmonton became the setting for his greatest team achievements: Stanley Cup championships in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
His individual honors matched that championship record. Gretzky won nine Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player and ten Art Ross Trophies as its leading points scorer. These awards recognized both his exceptional peak and his ability to remain productive across many seasons.
Why Goals and Points Tell Different Stories
Gretzky finished his NHL regular-season career with 894 goals and 1,963 assists in 1,487 games, producing 2,857 points. Hockey awards a point for a goal or an assist, so his total captures both scoring and creating goals for teammates. His assists alone account for more than two-thirds of his career points.
Alex Ovechkin passed Gretzky’s career goals total on April 6, 2025, when he scored his 895th regular-season goal. Gretzky remains the NHL’s career points and assists leader. He also set extraordinary single-season benchmarks: 92 goals in 1981–82 and 215 points in 1985–86.
His career extended beyond Edmonton. After joining the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, he helped take the team to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Gretzky retired with the New York Rangers in 1999 and entered the Hockey Hall of Fame that November. Coaching and work as executive director of Canada’s gold-medal-winning 2002 Olympic men’s hockey team followed his playing career.
Miguel Patricio’s Route From Marketing to Kraft Heinz
Building Experience Across Consumer Brands
Patricio developed his career through consumer businesses, including Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson, before taking senior roles in the brewing industry. His experience covered regional business leadership as well as marketing, with responsibilities in North America and Asia Pacific.
From 2012 to 2018, he served as AB InBev’s global chief marketing officer. His work included strategy for Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois. That background gave him experience managing brands sold across different countries, where a familiar product name still has to compete for local customers.
The CEO Appointment and Subsequent Board Roles
Kraft Heinz announced Patricio’s appointment as chief executive in April 2019, with a July 1 start date. He succeeded Bernardo Hees. In his appointment statement, Patricio emphasized the portfolio he was inheriting:
“Kraft Heinz is an incredible company with iconic brands that are loved around the world.” — Miguel Patricio, April 2019.
His CEO tenure continued through the end of 2023. He also chaired the company’s board from May 2022 through December 2025. John T. Cahill succeeded him as chair effective January 1, 2026, while Patricio continued as a director. Those dates distinguish his time running the company from his subsequent responsibilities on its board.
How Kraft Hockeyville Fits Into the Story
Kraft’s relationship with hockey has a concrete expression in Kraft Hockeyville, a program supporting local hockey communities and arena improvements. It began in Canada in 2006 and expanded into the United States in January 2015. The American launch brought together Kraft, the NHL, the NHL Players’ Association, NBC Sports Group, and USA Hockey.
Former NHL player Jeremy Roenick helped promote that U.S. launch. The program was already established four years before Patricio arrived at Kraft Heinz, making it part of a broader corporate commitment he inherited.
The initiative continued during his CEO tenure. El Paso, Texas, won Kraft Hockeyville USA 2020, earning $150,000 for rink upgrades. The NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams fund supplied another $10,000 worth of equipment. A preseason game associated with the award took place in 2021 after the pandemic delayed the original celebration.
For readers interested in the business side of hockey, these details explain what the sponsorship delivered: money for facilities, equipment for participation, and an NHL event in a community outside the league’s usual home arenas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NHL Teams Did Wayne Gretzky Play For?
Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers during his 20 NHL seasons.
Do Gretzky’s Career Points Include Playoff Games?
The familiar 2,857-point figure covers regular-season games. He added 382 playoff points, consisting of 122 goals and 260 assists. Regular-season and postseason statistics are recorded separately.
Did Miguel Patricio Found Kraft Heinz?
No. Kraft Heinz was formed through the merger of Kraft and Heinz in 2015. Patricio joined as chief executive in 2019.
Where Did Miguel Patricio Study?
Patricio holds a degree in business administration from Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, Brazil. His subsequent professional experience spanned several international consumer companies.
Who Succeeded Miguel Patricio as Kraft Heinz CEO?
Carlos Abrams-Rivera succeeded Patricio on January 1, 2024. Patricio then continued as board chair, separating the chief executive and chair responsibilities he had previously held together.
Conclusion
Gretzky changed hockey’s scoring standards, while Patricio moved from global brand management into corporate leadership. Kraft Hockeyville adds useful business context: a food company’s investment in the communities that sustain the sport.
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