Chiefs Trade Forth For Fifth

The Spokane Chiefs continued to fine-tune their roster Tuesday.

The Chiefs, who take on the Kelowna Rockets tonight in the Arena, sent defenseman Mark Forth to the Saskatoon Blades for a fifth-round pick in the 2000 bantam draft.

Forth’s progress was hindered by a groin pull in training camp, and later by an elbow injury, Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. As an 18-year-old player, he wanted more ice time, Speltz added.

He may get it with another club.

In other developments, the Chiefs, who with the Rockets are contending for the lead in the WHL West, were still looking to trade left winger Chris Harper. So far, Speltz said, they have found no takers.

Jared Smyth, the 20-year-old forward whom the Chiefs waived Friday to get down to the league-mandated three over-age players, was still hoping to land elsewhere in the WHL.

Women’s soccer

Spokane’s Heidi Melville, a senior defender for Montana, was named to the 11-member All-Big Sky Conference soccer team. Melville joined Grizzly teammates Jodi Campbell, from Seattle, and Shannon Forslund, from Tacoma, on the all-league first team.

Eastern Washington’s Caryn Noel, a senior from East Wenatchee, was an honorable mention selection.

College football

Fox Sports’ “The Slant,” a weekly show that takes a lighter look at college football, will report on Idaho’s homecoming game today and Thursday.

Fox’s crew was on hand for the Idaho-Utah State game played Oct. 23 at Martin Stadium. Fox was intrigued by the Vandals playing “homecoming” away from home.

Air times today are at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Thursday at 3:30.