Creating a custom board list component

I am looking to create a new Community category where there is a list of of 3 links, 2 of which are standard boards. However I want the 3rd link to direct the user to another category that we have setup within the same Community. 

I want the 3rd link to look like a board from the UI but this will direct the user to an unlisted category we have setup. I also want this to pull in the post count in the same way a standard board would from within the out-of-the box board list. 

My assumption is that I would need to do the following:

1. Create a new standard category that contains 2 boards.

2. Create a custom component that mirrors the UI of the standard board list. 

3. Within the custom component create links to the category and 2 boards already created. 

4. Create a 3rd link to direct the user off to another category. 

5. Within the custom component use the API to pull in post counts for the 2 boards and then the 3rd which links off to a category.

I wanting to know if this is the best way to do this and what calls are available to pull in board post counts and category post counts?

Thanks, 

Michael