Hickey was drafted 30th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft from the junior Hamilton Red Wings. He did start out with two seasons with the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association. Hickey was a popular player during his time with the NY Rangers. In 1978, when the Rangers acquired Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson from the WHA's Winnipeg Jets, Hickey was selected to play on a line with them in part because of his speed and scoring ability. Hickey would later be part of a high scoring line in Toronto, along with Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago.