Jacobs gives up last three years at Michigan State, signs with OHL’s Sting

Michigan State freshman defenseman Josh Jacobs has left school and will join the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting for the 2015-16 season, according to MiHockey.

Jacobs, a New Jersey Devils second-round draft pick (41st overall) in 2014, posted nine assists in 35 games last year for the Spartans.

“I informed Coach [Tom] Anastos that I will be pursuing my professional hockey interests elsewhere next season,” Jacobs said in a statement. “I’m very thankful to Michigan State University and the hockey community for everything over the past few years and I wish them nothing but the best going forward.”

“Josh has informed me that he has decided to leave school to pursue his professional hockey interests,” added Anastos. “We are certainly respectful of his decision, appreciate his contributions to our program, and wish him all the best in his hockey career moving forward.”

Jacobs was a fourth-round pick by the Sting in the 2012 OHL draft and won a United States Hockey League title with the Indiana Ice in 2014.