Attorney switches gears to open Play It Again Sports in Merrillville

Joe Molosky, owner of Play It Again Sports in Merrillville, has traced his career path from cybersecurity and national security attorney to running his own sports equipment business.

But one thing in his life remains constant — his love of hockey. It is a passion that fits in with his current commercial and philanthropic pursuits.

These days, he plays two to three times a week at the Midwest Training and Ice Center in Dyer and the Kube Sports Complex in Hammond.

“It gives you time to get off the phone and the computer and have some fun, not having to worry about everything else going on,” he said.

The Crown Point resident and father of three boys opened his store at 1876 E. 80th Ave. in September.

Play It Again Sports buys and sells used sports and fitness gear. Customers can bring in their equipment for cash or trade for goods in the store. Staff members are trained to provide athletes with the best possible fit for a variety of sports.

The business allows him to be more community and family focused. He said it allows him to maintain a more flexible schedule than his life as an attorney allowed.

Molosky grew up in Fort Wayne and began playing hockey when he was 13. His dad played hockey when he was growing up, and his uncles bought the first set of equipment for him and his brothers. From that point on, he has been playing the sport.

With extended family from Detroit, it was only natural that his favorite team was the Detroit Red Wings, in the days when it was winning Stanley Cups and its lineup was graced by such stars as Steve Yzerman.

He continued playing hockey in high school. During those years, his family moved to northern Wisconsin. His position was and continues to be center — faceoffs were one of his specialties, as was passing the puck.

“I was one of those people that was going to skate hard both ways and play defense,” he said.

Molosky attended Notre Dame University, earning his bachelor’s in management information systems. It led to work in information technology risk consulting and ultimately his pursuit of a law degree, also at Notre Dame.

“You could see where a lot of states and governments were putting new laws in place to regulate privacy and cybersecurity, and at that point, it seemed like something that was going to continue to expand,” he said.

After his graduation, he represented clients who had experienced data breaches and also international clients who were looking to purchase U.S. businesses with national security implications.

Then in January, he decided to make an abrupt career shift, opening Play It Again Sports. He said he and his wife, who supports the business, were interested in entering a family-oriented business and also serving the community.

A lot of hard work was involved in getting the store ready for its September opening, including building inventory and making sure the products are in good working order, clean and ready for people to use.

Hockey, he found, also encouraged skills that are useful in the business world.

“I try to translate that to whatever we’re doing with the store as well,” he said. “Everyone has their roles. Part of a team is making sure everybody has their role and does the best at whatever position they can.”

He said he also considers the local community valuable members of the team because they are the primary source of the store’s used gear.

Patrick Mullins, one of the leaders of the Chilliana Hockey Club that plays at the Midwest Training and Ice Center, said he and Molosky and the other players in the club play for the love of the sport.

“We don’t have refs. We don’t keep score,” he said. “Everybody’s out there to have a good time and get some exercise.”

Mullins frequently has to defend against Molosky.

“He never slows down,” he said.

The games are played on a full Olympic-sized rink for an hour and 15 minutes with a running clock, much like soccer. No body checking is allowed.

“The term that they usually use for it is kind of like ‘rat hockey,’” he said.

Mullins said he not only plays with Molosky, he also is a customer at the store.

“I have actually sold a few things I’m not using anymore over there,” he said. “My wife is interested in learning to play hockey. So, we looked at some gear there.”

“He likes to be kind of out and about and around the ice as am I,” said Patrick Moore, president and founder of the hockey club, who also plays center. A center, he said, is generally wherever the puck is.

“You’re getting your workout, and you’re having a social connection,” he said. “And that’s what I see in Joe as well.”

Moore, who coaches youth hockey, said Molosky has sponsored a few youth hockey players. He said Molosky has also supported Pucks for Autism, which runs hockey events to raise awareness and support those with autism. •

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