Born in Brantford, Ontario, Hickey was drafted 30th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. Nicknamed "Hitch", Hickey was additionally drafted 18th overall in the 1973 WHA Amateur Draft by the Toronto Toros, for whom he played his first two professional seasons in the World Hockey Association. Joining the Rangers for the 1975–76 NHL season, Hickey went on to play 646 career NHL games, scoring 192 goals and 212 assists for 404 points. A popular player during his time with the Rangers, Hickey was selected to play on a line with Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson after the Rangers acquired them from the WHA's Winnipeg Jets, in part because of his speed and scoring ability. Hickey was later part of a high scoring line in Toronto, along with Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago.
Post-hockey career
Hickey began his financial service career as an account executive on Wall Street with the New York City investment banking firm of Drexel Burnham Lambert upon retirement from the National Hockey League in 1985. In 1988, he was appointed general manager of the Los Angeles Kings' American Hockey League development program in New Haven, Connecticut and was subsequently awarded "Executive of the Year" honours in 1992. This award was based on his management of an independent franchise and initiation/completion of the AHL expansion plan. For six years, Hickey was active at the ownership level as well as serving the AHL on Finance, Marketing and NHL Liaison & Development committees as a League Governor. Hickey has been extensively involved in developing youth outreach programs. He founded a New York City after school program "Ice Hockey in Harlem" in 1986 that blends academics and sport. Hickey has developed numerous strategic alliances between the corporate community and charitable foundations as chair for fundraising events. He played a critical role in developing the NYR Seeing Kids Achieve, Triumph and Excel, Brantwood Foundation and Ice Hockey in Harlem Foundation relationships with the financial services community. Hickey has served on the board of directors of Ice Theatre International, Hillfield Strathallan College and is a Board Member of the New York Rangers Alumni Association and liaison to the NHL Alumni Board of Directors. Hickey is an Investment Advisor and Registered Institutional Representative with RBC Dominion Securities and has been based in Hamilton, Ontario for 17 years. Hickey has been a member of the Executive Council and designated "Miracle Maker" annually with Children's Charities since 1997.
Legacy
In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, the authors ranked Hickey at No. 78 all-time of the 901 New York Rangers who had played during the team's first 82 seasons. Hickey is the founder of Ice Hockey in Harlem.
