While trekking up Utah mountainsides in the freezing cold is challenging for the former Managing Director of Upstream Print Solutions, he will never say die; something the players not only respect but marvel at.
Hoen is 44-years older than Shaun Atley, the Roos' youngest player, but has hiked the same amount of kilometres and reached the same oxygen sapping heights of 10,000 feet above sea level as him and the rest of the list.
"I did have prostate cancer when I was about 55 and one of the recovery elements was walking and that's what started me off on doing trail walks and hikes. I've done five Oxfam 100 kilometre walks and six Upstream 50k walks so it's become a bit of passion and it didn't do me any harm up here in Utah."
Hoen is one of several Executives traveling with the team for the training camp and says he's done more than he ever imagined.
"We've really worked hard and I didn't expect to do as much as I did but the weather was really good, the atmosphere was really good and all the boys encouraged me along the way so I kept going.
"I've been to the top of the mountain three times and the body feels remarkably good actually. You can never really tell how hard you can push it but my recovery has been really good. Climbing those hills didn't feel so good but all the boys were supportive?. I guess they think it's good that an old guy can try and stay with them."
Hoen began supporting the Kangaroos in 1982 after moving from Perth and has been a highly valued Match Committee member in recent times.
The father of four and grandfather of ten was quick to book his seat on the plane for Utah for the second consecutive year.
"I used to barrack for East Perth and a lot of the players came over to North Melbourne so when I moved over, it was just natural to follow the players that I knew.
"The Match Committee membership has been really good. Getting close to all the action, mixing with all the boys, speaking with Brad before the matches and being in the rooms is great. It's been enhanced by the fact that I've been able to get to know all the boys really well from coming to Utah. That's why I've come back again this year."
Despite the cost, at $25,000 per person, Hoen says he didn't hesitate to be involved again.
"I do it because without this kind of support, the camp wouldn't happen. The club obviously requires some commercial support in order to put Utah on, so that's part of it but I want to see the boys succeed and put the groundwork in.
"On a personal level, I just love the club and this is a very unique experience. To be able do the hikes with the boys and do things you would never normally do. I would never normally hike to 10,000 feet but here you've got medical support in a doctor, physios and everything laid on for you. Of course the trails are all mapped out for you, it's very enjoyable.
"It's almost money can't buy? - getting close to the group is amazing and rewarding. You become a part of the team. It's a group of 60 that lives, sleeps and eats together."
The club has made sure there are other benefits for the Executives too; like access to highly successful international organisations and special intimate dinners with players.
All that and an invitation to do as much or as little of the training as they want.
"We spent one and a half hours with the President of the Utah Jazz and had some amazing insights about how they run basketball over here in the States. We had one-on-one time with their head coach and also visited the United States Ski Association where we were given a look at things the normal tourist can't get access too.
"If you're in a position to do it, as a North Melbourne supporter or even a person looking to develop leaderships skills in the corporate world, then make sure you consider this trip. It's a very valuable and important innovation that the club has put in place and I think it's pretty important that it becomes an institution for the club and the younger players coming through.
"If we want to see some September action, this is where it all starts."
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North Melbourne staff and players will be tweeting from Utah. Search the hashtag #utahroos or visit twitter.com/northkangaroos for updates.
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