LOWELL — Under terms of his contract extension, UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin will average just under $500,000 in base salary over the next five hockey seasons.

Bazin’s salary will be $440,000 this season, $465,000 for the 2018-19 season, $490,000 for 2019-20, $515,000 for 2020-21 and $540,000 for 2021-22.

The former UMass Lowell player is in his seventh season behind the bench at the Tsongas Center.

He’s universally thought of as one of college hockey’s top coaches. A three-time Hockey East Coach of the Year, Bazin was named the 2013 Spencer Penrose Award winner as the Division 1 Coach of the Year.

“We’d like to keep Norm at UMass Lowell for a very long time,” said Dana Skinner, director of athletics. “The heightened visibility received the past six years has enabled the university to tell its story of success to a much broader audience. Under Norm’s leadership the program has won championships and produced first-rate student-athletes. Moreoever, the team has been a great source of pride for the campus and community.”

His 2017-18 salary was set to be $365,322, plus academic and performance incentives, before his deal was restructured.

“Obviously I’m excited to be entrusted to head the program into the next decade. I think it’s a contract that’s fair and equitable for both sides. From my standpoint, it shows the university’s commitment to athletics and hockey,” Bazin said Tuesday night.

Taking over a program which won just five games the season before he arrived, Bazin has turned the River Hawks into a perennial powerhouse.

Under Bazin, UMass Lowell has competed in five NCAA Tournaments, won three Hockey East Tournament titles and two league regular-season championships. Despite a 1-3 start this season, Bazin’s record at his alma mater is a sparkling 152-71-21.

At Bazin’s request, $12,000 of his salary each season will be directed to increase the salaries of his two assistant coaches, Cam Ellsworth and Andy Jones, by $6,000 each.

UMass Lowell released terms of Bazin’s contract after a request by The Sun.

Several performance incentives are also part of the contract between Bazin and the school. Here’s a few:

* $50,000 if UML wins the national championship.

* $25,000 for any season UML qualifies for the Frozen Four.

* $15,000 for any season named the national coach of the year.

* $10,000 for any season named the Hockey East Coach of the Year.

* $10,000 for any season UML wins an NCAA Tournament game.

* $10,000 for any season UML wins the Hockey East Tournament or makes the NCAA Tournament.

UML’s on-ice success has translated into large crowds at the Tsongas Arena. In fact, the River Hawks led Hockey East in home attendance the past two seasons.

Bazin is far and away UMass Lowell’s highest paid coach.

However, his salary lags far behind two Hockey East coaches. Reportedly, BC coach Jerry York makes $1.2 million per season, while BU coach David Quinn makes $1 million per season.

Follow Barry Scanlon on Twitter@BarryScanlonSun