Hickie started his CFL career with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1983 as a punter and was the Eskimos' nominee for the Schenley Rookie of the year in 1983. He was traded to Saskatchewan in 1984 and then moved on to play with Ottawa in 1987. Paul co-holds the record for the longest punt in the CFL at 83 yards and set a record for punt singles with 17 in the 1983 season.