Robert Church Bio
Robert Church is a Canadian professional box lacrosse player who plays as a forward for the Saskatchewan Rush in the National Lacrosse League. Known by the nickname “Milk Man,” he has built a reputation as one of the most consistent scorers in the league since beginning his professional career in 2013. Over the years, he has earned three NLL Championships and become a recognized leader in Canadian box lacrosse.
A graduate of Drexel University, Church developed his game in British Columbia before moving to the professional ranks. He also represents Canada in international competition, having won gold at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica. His combination of scoring touch and physical play has made him a fixture on the Rush roster.
Early Life and Background
Robert Church was born on November 18, 1991, in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. He is the son of Bruce Church and Nancy Church, and grew up in the Coquitlam area with strong family support for athletics. He began playing lacrosse at the age of 11, and the sport quickly became the central focus of his athletic life.
Church attended Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, where he graduated with honors. During his high school years, he was named the British Columbia High School MVP and played on the provincial championship team. His success at the high school level set the stage for a smooth transition into competitive junior lacrosse.
Path to Lacrosse
After high school, Church moved into the British Columbia Intermediate A Lacrosse League, where he was named MVP in 2008 after scoring 106 points. That early success confirmed his potential as an elite offensive talent and prepared him for the demands of junior A competition.
He went on to play his junior career for the Coquitlam Adanacs of the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League. In 2009, he was named the BCJALL Most Valuable Player after leading the league with 107 points and earning First Team All-Star honors. Church was also named MVP of the 2010 Minto Cup and helped his club reach three consecutive Minto Cup appearances in 2010, 2011, and 2012, gaining valuable experience on the national junior stage.
Robert Church Career
College Career at Drexel
Church continued his development at Drexel University, where he quickly established himself as a dynamic scorer. As a freshman, he set a Drexel record for most goals scored in a single game since 1996, scoring seven goals against Hofstra in an upset victory. He was named Rookie of the Week four times and earned a place on the NCAA’s All-Rookie Team.
By the time he finished his college career, Church ranked fourth all time in Drexel scoring with 194 career points. As a senior, he was recognized as a Division I honorable mention All American, and he was later named to the Drexel men’s lacrosse 75th Anniversary all-time team.
Professional Breakthrough with Edmonton Rush
Robert Church was selected 5th overall by the Edmonton Rush in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft, marking the start of his professional career. In his first season, he was named to the NLL’s 2014 All-Rookie Team after finishing third in the NLL rookie scoring race with 52 goals and 31 assists, an impressive start that signaled his long-term potential.
He continued to develop into a top scoring threat, leading the NLL in power-play goals for two consecutive seasons, including 14 power-play goals in 2015 and 17 in 2016. His offensive consistency helped Edmonton become one of the league’s most dangerous teams during his tenure.
Edmonton and Saskatchewan Rush Championships
During his time with the Rush organization, Church won three National Lacrosse League Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2018. These titles established the Rush as a dynasty in the NLL, and Church played a key role in each championship run with timely goals and steady play in big moments.
In 2017, Church finished second in team scoring and 15th in the league during the regular season, then elevated his game in the playoffs, finishing second on the team and second in the league in playoff scoring. His ability to produce in high-pressure situations cemented his reputation as a clutch performer.
Saskatchewan Rush Era
After the Edmonton Rush relocated to Saskatchewan, Church continued his career with the Saskatchewan Rush, where he remains a core member of the roster. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 197 pounds, he plays as a right-shooting forward and has maintained his scoring pace in the league.
Church also plays summer lacrosse for the Burnaby Lakers of the Western Lacrosse Association, keeping his game sharp during the NLL offseason. His ongoing production at both the professional and summer levels has made him a respected veteran in Canadian box lacrosse.
Driving Style and Strengths
Church is recognized for his quick release, finishing ability around the net, and elite power-play scoring instincts. His chemistry with linemates and his understanding of offensive spacing allow him to find scoring chances in tight spaces, and his willingness to play physical makes him effective in transition as well as in settled offensive sets.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Church’s most notable achievements are his three NLL Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2018, along with his 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championship gold medal representing Canada. His Drexel single-game goal record and selection to the program’s 75th Anniversary all-time team also stand out as key milestones in his career.
Robert Church Career Wins
Robert Church has accumulated an impressive collection of championships and individual honors since turning professional in 2013. His three NLL titles with the Rush organization place him among the most decorated players of his era, while his consistent scoring has kept him near the top of the league’s offensive leaderboards year after year.
NLL Highlights
Church won National Lacrosse League Championships in 2015, 2016, and 2018 with the Rush, contributing important goals in each playoff run. He has led the NLL in power-play goals in multiple seasons, including 14 in 2015 and 17 in 2016, and finished tied for 10th in overall league scoring with 92 points in 2015.
He was named to the NLL’s All-Rookie Team in 2014 and has continued to be recognized as one of the league’s premier forwards. His playoff scoring finishes, including second in the league in 2017, highlight his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NLL success, Church won gold representing Canada at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica. He was also named MVP of the 2010 Minto Cup and earned BCJALL Most Valuable Player honors in 2009, underscoring his long history of high-level performance in Canadian lacrosse.
Robert Church Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Robert Church is the son of Bruce Church and Nancy Church. He grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia, where his family supported his early development in lacrosse. His upbringing in a strong athletic environment helped shape his dedication to the sport from a young age.
Personal Life
Church is a Canadian national who was born and raised in Coquitlam, BC. He pursued his education at Dr. Charles Best Secondary School before continuing at Drexel University, where he completed his college lacrosse career. He continues his professional career with the Saskatchewan Rush in the National Lacrosse League.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NLL season, Robert Church remains a key offensive contributor for the Saskatchewan Rush. With three NLL Championships already on his resume, he is focused on helping the Rush return to the top of the league and add another title to the franchise’s recent history.
His track record of leading the NLL in power-play goals and finishing among the league’s top scorers makes him a central figure in the Rush’s offensive game plan. Teammates and coaches continue to rely on his experience and scoring touch as the team competes in the highly competitive NLL playoff picture.
With his combination of veteran leadership, international experience from the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championship, and proven big-game performances, Church enters 2025 as one of the established stars of Canadian box lacrosse and a player capable of influencing every game he plays.
