so why the split with orser
It's my understanding that Stephen's parents felt that Orser wasn't spending enough time with their son, and since Barkell was already more attentive, they decided it was natural for the latter to be the main coach. Although Lee doesn't have Brian's "legendary" status, the former was Jeff Buttle's coach, a world champion and Olympic bronze medallist, so I'm confident that he'll help Stephen to be just as successful (and perhaps even more so?) in the future. The split with Orser must have occurred since at least the Ontario Sectionals, so I'd give credit to Barkell for the young man's historic JGPF win.
Just adding to this, I think Stephen started working with Lee first when he first came to the TCC. It was afterwards that Brian starting giving Stephen one-on-one lessons, before eventually being added as a main coach about 1-2 years ago. Honestly, if I may be slightly blunt, I think Brian bit off more than he could chew this season. I don't recall if he had ever taken so many new students all at once, and starting a new student/coach partnership takes a lot of effort and time since both sides need to get to know each other. Just this summer he has taken in Evgenia, Jason, Joseph, then recently, the new Russian turned Polish girl, and who knows if there are others who are lower profile or taken in on a seasonal basis. Then there's also his existing students, that new deal with the Chinese Federation, and not to mention he's also runs the TCC with Tracy (as head/managing coach I believe?). He's also been travelling almost every weekend and I can't see he's been spending much time at the TCC every week due to that. There's also a lot of media and PR obligations, and on top of that, Yuzuru just had another injury. Gosh it's crazy just listing all these stuff out, so I don't know how he's coping. He must be super human!
Personally, I think it's a smart decision for Stephen and I can't see much downside at this time. It's not like Stephen is leaving the TCC, so he still maintains all the benefit of being there. From what I've gathered, Stephen is also working with Tracy (on SS) and Ghislain (on jumps), so it's very much a group effort there. And if he wants, Stephen can always switch back to Brian when he's going senior, and hopefully Brian will have less on his plate by then. Not to mention, I don't think Brian is completely out of the picture since he personally oversees things at the club, so I'm sure he's involved, just not as the main guy. I recall recently that Brian led a stroking class with all the elite students, so ya, he's involved.
In some ways I'm actually slightly relieved?? I find that having Brian listed as a coach can bring a lot of extra attention. Lee keeps a much lower profile, and I think he tends to do a lot less interviews, if any at all. Meanwhile, no offense to Brian, but sometimes I think he talks to much.

That, and his words, actions etc. is constantly scrutinized by the media and fans. I mean, Stephen is already getting a lot of attention now just because of his age and the fact he just won the jgpf, but having Brian listed definitely adds to it I think. I also find Lee to be a much more calming presence in the KnC, while Brian seems to be more emotionally invested, which might not work for everyone (like Adam Rippon). I also agree that Lee is a great coach. I think people underestimate the work Lee has been doing with Stephen.
On a completely different note, I just wanted to share an amusing exchange that I had with my mother about Stephen (she's strictly speaking not a fs fan, but does sometimes watch the highlights from the Canadian Championships, Worlds and the Olympics). Although I had told her about this skating prodigy starting from the beginning of last season, she wasn't motivated to watch his performances until she heard about his JGPF victory. As expected, she did consider him to be exceptionally talented for his tender age, but then she made a comment that I could never have foreseen: "And he's even a handsome boy on top of that. Future heartthrob."

I literally laughed out loud at her observation because my mother frowns upon celebrity culture (and she thinks it's utterly ridiculous that I participate in it), yet she couldn't resist complimenting his looks! Well, I guess we'll see in a few years whether her prediction will come true or not. (And considering how shy Stephen is, I think he'd panic if he were surrounded by a horde of fangirls!

)
Stephen is an adorable, handsome boy, and I agree with your mother that he has a high potential to be a future heartthrob.

It's a bit weird though, I've been reading online comments and there are all these people who thinks he looks like someone else. So far I've read people who felt he looks like Macaulay Culkin from the Home Alone era, a young Sergei Voronov, and even a young Prince William. Most of these I'm just like


, he looks like none of them??? lol. It's like people keep comparing him to whichever blond person that comes to mind.
Stephen's experience with the press was super cute. I can relate to him so well, since I'm super shy and introverted too in person. But geez some of the questions they asked him....Like, how you expect a thirteen year old to answer that? That said, I thought he handled himself really well, despite the fact he looks like he just wants to hide under his sweater. haha.
This reminds me photos from the post-GPF banquet I found on Russian skaters instagrams. Looking at his face, you can say everything about Stephen, but not that he's shy with girls
Here you have
Alena's,
Alexandra's and
Polina's instagrams (please scroll to reach photos with Stephen). Polina even wrote that she made friends with Stephen and wished to see him again .
Awww....I think it's so sweet to see all the pics of him with all the junior Russian girls. They probably flocked to him cuz he's such a cool dude.

I kinda wish I could hear him speak Russian with them.
On a separate note, I adored Stephen's exhibition!

It was a totally different style of choreography for him and I liked the fact it brought out a bit of his fun side. Those hip hop lessons with Sam Chouinard paid off. The hyroblade into a spin is cool. Also, I hope it quieted some of the chatter about how artistically and musically stunted he is. >=( Seriously, all those people are blind. Like I can't be the only one who sees how he's actually been hitting a lot of the choreographic nuances in his SP and FP right? I mean he's got a long way to go, but he's doing great for his age.