on "ice" or "the ice" (hockey)

[Bennevis]

Long time no see! Been busy with work.
Is it OK to say "on ice", as in "He (a hockey player) spent 25 minutes on ice", or could we also say "on the ice"? My gut tells me we don't really need the article here. Thank you!

[bhaisahab]

Long time no see! Been busy with work.
Is it OK to say "on ice", as in "He (a hockey player) spent 25 minutes on ice", or could we also say "on the ice"? My gut tells me we don't really need the article here. Thank you!

It's better with the article.

[SoothingDave]

Yes, one the ice.

[Bennevis]

Thank you for your prompt reply, sir. Would it jar if we dispensed with the article here?

[SoothingDave]

I've listened to a lot of hockey announcers and I've always heard it with the article. So, yes, it would sound incorrect to me.

You could also say "He had 25 minutes of ice time."

[Bennevis]