Final answer:
Hand passes are generally permitted in the defensive zone in junior hockey, following rules set by organizations like USA Hockey and the CHL, to help teams defend and clear the puck.
Step-by-step explanation:
In junior hockey, the rules regarding hand passes can vary depending on the specific league's regulations. However, under general rule sets such as those used by USA Hockey and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), hand passes are allowed within a team's own defensive zone. A hand pass in this context is when a player bats the puck to a teammate using their hand. This is permissible solely within the defensive zone, which is deemed the area behind the team's blue line. Should a player execute a hand pass in the offensive or neutral zones, the play will be stopped, and a faceoff will occur as this is not allowed. The rationale behind allowing hand passes in the defensive zone is that it can enable a team to more effectively defend their goal and clear the puck from dangerous areas.