Like I said... The best place to start with understanding head contact is with the rules. There is Rule 616 of USA Hockey. It appears the rules are there. I still feel rules need to be added but RECKLESSLY can be interpreted in many ways. The problem with contact sports and hockey in this case is that culturally we accept excessive hits. We may even accept head hits if "clean". Which is hard to believe.
The current rules could be used to shut down head contact and excessive force. New rules are needed.
Attempt to injury (last line) in my opinion is excessive force beyond what is needed to move a player off the puck. If we don't get involved as parents. These rules will continue to be interpreted lightly.
Rule 616 of USA Hockey:
Head Contact/Head-Butting
(a) A minor penalty, major penalty or a major plus game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be assessed to any player who intentionally or recklessly contacts a player in the head, including with the stick or by an illegal body check.
(b) A major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who injures an opponent by head contact (see Glossary).
(c) A major plus a game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on any player who “head-butts” in such a manner as to in any way foul an opponent.
(Note) “Head Contact/Head-Butting” may also be treated as an Attempt to Injure or Deliberate Injury of an Opponent under Rule 603.
USA hockey has instructed on ice officials to call head contact. intentional or not, to cut down on the frequency. However they have not clearly delivered the message by keeping "discretion" in the official rules. I have watch and heard refs say "it was not intentional", " it is part of the game" and my all time favorite " I am ok with it". Ultimately it is USA hockey's obligation to the sport to remove this discretion from the rules and strictly enforce it as a standard. USA hockey's lack of responsible action is leading directly to injury and ultimately low participation in comparison to other major sports at the youth level. The USA hockey dominate focus is controlling parents, and although I agree this needs to be addressed, I have yet to see a more active approach to the RINKs, Organizations, and referees. All of which are parents and players at the youth level. I am a coach, Ref, and parent.
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